• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.831-847
• /
• 2017

Conventional geotechnical engineering soil binders such as ordinary cement or lime have environmental issues in terms of sustainable development. Thus, environmentally friendly materials have attracted considerable interest in modern geotechnical engineering. Microbial biopolymers are being actively developed in order to improve geotechnical engineering properties such as aggregate stability, strength, and hydraulic conductivity of various soil types. This study evaluates the geotechnical engineering shear behavior of sand treated with xanthan gum biopolymer through laboratory direct shear testing. Xanthan gum-sand mixtures with various xanthan gum content (percent to the mass of sand) and gel phases (initial, dried, and re-submerged) were considered. Xanthan gum content of 1.0% sufficiently improves the inter-particle cohesion of cohesionless sands 3.8 times and more (up to 14 times for dried state) than in the untreated (natural) condition, regardless of the xanthan gum gel condition. In general, the strength of xanthan gum-treated sand shows dependency with the rheology and phase of xanthan gum gels in inter-granular pores, which decreases in order as dried (biofilm state), initial (uniform hydrogel), and re-submerged (swollen hydrogel after drying) states. As xanthan gum hydrogels are pseudo-plastic, both inter-particle friction angle and cohesion of xanthan gum-treated sand decrease with water adsorbed swelling at large strain levels. However, for 2% xanthan gum-treated sands, the re-submerged state shows a higher strength than the initial state due to the gradual and non-uniform swelling behavior of highly concentrated biofilms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.145-151
• /
• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease and a major cause of dementia in elderly individuals worldwide. Increased deposition of insoluble amyloid β (Aβ) fibrils in the brain is thought be a key neuropathological hallmark of AD. Many recent studies show that natural products such as polyphenolic flavonoids inhibit the formation of insoluble Aβ fibrils and/or destabilize β-sheet-rich Aβ fibrils to form non-cytotoxic aggregates. In the present study, we explored the structure-activity relationship of naturally-occurring biflavonoids on Aβ amyloidogenesis utilizing an in vitro thioflavin T assay with Aβ1-42 peptide which is prone to aggregate more rapidly to fibrils than Aβ1-40 peptide. Among the biflavonoids we tested, we found amentoflavone revealed the most potent effects on inhibiting Aβ1-42 fibrillization (IC₅₀: 0.26 µM), as well as on disassembling preformed Aβ1-42 fibrils (EC₅₀: 0.59 µM). Our structure-activity relationship study suggests that the hydroxyl groups of biflavonoid compounds play an essential role in their molecular interaction with the dynamic process of Aβ1-42 fibrillization. Our atomic force microscopic imaging analysis demonstrates that amentoflavone directly disrupts the fibrillar structure of preformed Aβ1-42 fibrils, resulting in conversion of those fibrils to amorphous Aβ1-42 aggregates. These results indicate that amentoflavone affords the most potent anti-amyloidogenic effects on both inhibition of Aβ1-42 fibrillization and disaggregation of preformed mature Aβ1-42 fibrils.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2016

In this study, the plan to construct a disaster information categorization system that can be objectively and efficiently performed was suggested in order to perform disaster management task systematically. Recently, the damage of natural disasters is gradually growing larger and faster, increasing the economic loss. Especially, as for the domestic storm damage, the damage from strong wind was found to be greater than the damage from torrential rain. Also, strong wind was found to be inflicting a great damage on human life, property and agricultural crops, so the necessity to study damage restoration from strong wind is increasing. Nevertheless, the damage items categorized in the domestic disaster year book are often comprehensive or unclear in criteria, and thus fail to reflect items or matters due to actual disaster damage. It is difficult to aggregate damage accurately such that it does not correspond to the national compensation scope or the damage amount is calculated according to subjective judgment of the investigator in charge. As such, if the disaster information management is inadequate by not applying accurate categorization criteria from damage amount calculation, there can be an issue with fairness when paying the damage support aid. Therefore, this study suggested a categorization plan for objective and efficient execution of disaster information management task in order to resolve such issues. It is expected that quick and efficient execution would be possible in disaster information management and task procedure domestically by constructing systematic categorization system related to disaster information.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2010

This study was carried out to find reliable relations between various concrete strength properties which are used as input data in concrete pavement design program. Concretes were made from different sources of coarse grained(granite, limestone and sandstone) and fine grained aggregates such as natural sand, washed sand and crushed sand. From strength test results, model equations were obtained based on the relation between strengths. For each coarse grained aggregate, models for compression-flexural strengths, compression-split tensile strengths, compressive strength-modulus and flexural-split tensile strengths with age were obtained. For concrete mixed with gneiss granite aggregates, concrete strengths were obtained from numerical mean values of concrete strengths mixed with fine grained aggregates. In addition models for concrete split tensile strengths and modulus values were provide by averaging numerically the estimated values obtained from the derived relationship and the experimental values. This is due to more scattered values of split tensile strengths and modulus values than other strength properties. Finally criteria for drying shrinkage strain as well as Poisson's ratio for concrete used in pavement were presented for all mixes with differed coarse grained aggregates.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.19 no.4 s.65
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2005

In the study application of volcanic scoria concrete to artificial reefs is investigated. Volcanic scoria is a natural volcanic product that shows light weight, mil/i-porous, and far-infrared irradiation characteristics. The properties of volcanic scoria concrete using Jeju scoria aggregate are evaluated by conducting a comprehensive series of tests on strength and void ratio. It is concluded that the volcanic scoria concrete has the sufficient strength of 4MPa-13MPa and adequate void ratio of $12\%-35\%$ to be accepted as artificial reef concrete. The field experiments are performed through observation by scuba diver's at the Seogwipo coast. Porous specimen and plane concrete specimen are prepared for comparison purposes. Seasonal changes of soft coral on the two series of test specimens were have been observed from Apr. 9, 2004 to Mar. 18, 2005. The soft coral is well grown on the porous specimen however there are no significant changes on the conventional plain concrete specimen. Thus it is concluded that the volcanic scoria concrete is highly suitable as artificial reef concrete.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• 2006.11a
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2006

As the number of aged-housing has been rapidly increased, many kinds of defects and problems such as degeneration of housing environment, structural performance, and equipment performance have been appeared. The reconstruction as the way to improve the aged-housing has been used mostly because the legal process of the reconstruction is relatively easy. On the other hand, it has caused problems such as the lack of natural aggregate, the environmental damages owing to construction wastes, the loss of national resources, and the lack of the housing for rent nearby the reconstruction area. This problems limit active tying into the reconstruction business at present in the industrial and political perspective. In this context, it is required to revitalize the remodeling rather than the reconstruction. In order to reach this objective, this research aims at identifying the user-oriented performance for the housing industry and developing the new technologies. It is expected that the result of this research can contribute to more revitalize the remodeling as tying researches in terms of design, structure, equipment, and construction.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.685-695
• /
• 2011

Through the analyses of the distribution characteristics and management practices of the wildlife protection areas, this study intends to present basic data for improving the management of protected areas. 1) Based on the aggregate results of the protected areas, the average ratio of the metro-city and provincial areas to the designated protected areas was 1.49%; except for Chungcheongbuk-do (8.83%) and Gyeongsangnam-do (3.43%), most regions showed specified percentages of about 1%, whereby the analysis suggested that the designated protected areas were too small. 2) Considering the fact that most (86.16%) of the wildlife protection areas are in the regions that are of ecological nature level of grade 1, green nature level of grade 8 or better, and of legal conservation regions and districts, it was shown that these reserves are distributed in regions with excellent natural environmental conditions. 3) Designation of protected areas for the protection of wildlife and fish is deemed to be necessary. Although there are 588 wildlife & plant reserves, there are absolutely no designated areas for protecting plant and fish species. 4) Based on the results of an analysis of the current distribution by types, 92.47% of protected areas were concentrated in the mountains, 0.24% in the agricultural lands, and 7.29% distributed in the lakes/rivers/costal areas. 5) As major improvement projects, proposed were: advancement of management systems for protected areas, expanded designation of protected areas, overhaul of managed areas, designation of protected areas for the protection of wild plants and fish, need for management measures for private property and the surrounding areas, need to secure appropriate management personnel and collaboration, locally-adapted management, eco-information-based management, total management of protected areas, etc.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2017

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to ascertain the curing period of cementless cold central plant recycled asphalt base-layer, using mechanical analyses and specimen quality tests on the field. METHODS : Cold central plant recycled asphalt base-layer mixture was produced in the plant from reclaimed asphalt, natural aggregate, filler for the cold mix, and the modified emulsion AP using asphalt mix design and plant mix design. In order to examine the applicability of the curing period during the field test, the international standards for the possibility of core extraction and the degree of compaction and LFWD deflection were analyzed. Moreover, Marshall stability test, porosity test, and indirect tensile strength test were performed on the specimens of asphalt mix and plant mix design. RESULTS : The plant production process and compaction method of cementless cold central plant recycled asphalt base-layer were established, and the applicability of the optical moisture content for producing the mixture was verified through the field test. In addition, it was determined that the core extraction method of the conventional international curing standard was insufficient to ensure performance, and the LFWD test demonstrated that the deflection converges after a two-day curing. However, the back-calculation analysis reveals that a three-day curing is satisfactory, resulting in a general level of performance of dense asphalt base-layer. Moreover, from the result of the specimen quality test of the asphalt mix design and plant mix design according to the curing period, it was determined that the qualities satisfied both domestic and international standards, after a two-day curing. However, it was determined that the strength and stiffness after three-day curing are higher than those after a two-day curing by approximately 3.5 % and 20 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:A three-day curing period is proposed for the cementless cold central plant recycled asphalt base-layer; this curing period can be demonstrated to retain the modulus of asphalt-base layer in the field and ensure stable quality characteristics.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
• /
• 2004.05b
• /
• pp.1445-1449
• /
• 2004

Even though there can be a relative long-term or short-term change of their size in natural beaches due to various changes of sea condition such as the location, weather condition (wind and rain) and sea water flow, the budget of deposits in a specific area is generally regarded to be in a condition of equilibrium in terms of technology. However, as coasts are developed by many different kinds of ways (such as construction of sea walls and estuarine, dredging for gathering the aggregate and shore protection construction for establishing a structure) and sources of silt and gravel from rivers are decreased in balanced beaches, the beaches are in a serious danger of lack of sand and sand sources which are one of the maul elements to consist of them. Many swimming beaches in East Sea are directly exposed by waves generated and transmitted from outer seas. On the other hand, the Song-Do sandy beach which is this study's target area has a great condition for beach development because it locates the deepest place that is relatively shallow in Young-Il Man and there is big energy decrease given to waves from outer seas while the waves are reaching the Song-Do beach. Nevertheless, it is considered that artificial condition changes such as dredging for site extension by POSCO, getting straight of Hyoung-San Gang river flow and extension of Po-Hang harbor caused the sand loss of the beach. Therefore, some recovery plans of Song-Do sandy beach will be presented in this study and they will be compared and examined each other by numerical modeling experiment. After that, the best plan will be recommended.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2007

Recently, concrete has been made porous and used for sound absorption, water permeation, vegetation and water purification according to void characteristics. Many studies are carried out on the utilization of sewage sludge, fly ash and waste concrete to reduce the environmental load. This study was performed to evaluate the void, strength, relationship between void and strength, permeability and chemical resistance properties of porous polymer concrete for pavement with different fillers. An unsaturated polyester resin was used as a binder, crushed stone and natural sand were used as an aggregate and bottom ash, fly ash and blast furnace slag were used as fillers. The mix proportions were determined to satisfy the requirement for the permeability coefficient, $1{\times}10^{-2}$ cm/s for general permeable cement concrete pavement in Korea. The void ratios of porous polymer concrete with fillers were in the range of $18{\sim}23%$. The compressive strength and flexural load of porous polymer concrete with fillers were in the range of $19{\sim}22$ MPa and $18{\sim}24$ KN, respectively. The permeability coefficients of porous polymer concrete with fillers were in the range of $5.5{\times}10^{-1}{\sim}9.7{\times}10^{-2}$ cm/s. At the sulfuric acid resistance, the weight reduction ratios of porous polymer concrete immersed during 8-week in 5% $H_{2}SO_{4}$ were in the range of $1.08{\sim}3.56%$.