• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.163-177
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• 2023

Complex and intricate preparation techniques, the imperative for utmost precision and sensitivity in instrumentation, premature sample failure, and fragile specimens collectively contribute to the arduous task of measuring the fracture toughness of concrete in the laboratory. The objective of this research is to introduce and refine an equation based on the gene expression programming (GEP) method to calculate the fracture toughness of reinforced concrete, thereby minimizing the need for costly and time-consuming laboratory experiments. To accomplish this, various types of reinforced concrete, each incorporating distinct ratios of fibers and additives, were subjected to diverse loading angles relative to the initial crack (α) in order to ascertain the effective fracture toughness (Keff) of 660 samples utilizing the central straight notched Brazilian disc (CSNBD) test. Within the datasets, six pivotal input factors influencing the Keff of concrete, namely sample type (ST), diameter (D), thickness (t), length (L), force (F), and α, were taken into account. The ST and α parameters represent crucial inputs in the model presented in this study, marking the first instance that their influence has been examined via the CSNBD test. Of the 660 datasets, 460 were utilized for training purposes, while 100 each were allotted for testing and validation of the model. The GEP model was fine-tuned based on the training datasets, and its efficacy was evaluated using the separate test and validation datasets. In subsequent stages, the GEP model was optimized, yielding the most robust models. Ultimately, an equation was derived by averaging the most exemplary models, providing a means to predict the Keff parameter. This averaged equation exhibited exceptional proficiency in predicting the Keff of concrete. The significance of this work lies in the possibility of obtaining the Keff parameter without investing copious amounts of time and resources into the CSNBD test, simply by inputting the relevant parameters into the equation derived for diverse samples of reinforced concrete subject to varied loading angles.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.695-706
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• 2004

This study is to propose the temporal pattern of design rainfall which causes maximum peak discharge, and to analyze the relation of catchment characteristics and critical durations for gauged midsize catchment. Hydrologic analysis has done over the 44 midsize catchments with 50-5,000$\textrm{km}^2$. The type of temporal pattern of design rainfall which causes maximum peak discharge has resulted in Huff's 4 quartile distribution method for effective rainfall(AMC III) The peak discharges of 24hr rainfall duration are similar to those of critical duration for 50-600$\textrm{km}^2$, and the peak discharges of 48hr rainfall duration are similar to those of critical duration for 600-5,000$\textrm{km}^2$. Therefore, if the proper rainfall intensity formula is selected, 24hr or 48hr rainfall duration may be regarded as the critical duration of midsize catchment. A simple regression equation is derived by using a catchment area and critical duration with high correlation for the case of effective rainfall(AMC III). Therefore, it can be used to determine the critical duration of ungauged catchment with 50-5,000$\textrm{km}^2$. Also, dimensionless regression equation is derived by using characteristic values of unit hydrograph.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.87-101
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• 1990

The purpose of this study is to estimate the flood discharge and runoff volume at a stream by using geomorphologic parameters obtained from the topographic maps following the law of stream classification and ordering by Horton and Strahier. The present model is modified from Cheng' s model which derives the geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph. The present model uses the results of Laplace transformation and convolution intergral of probability density function of the travel time at each state. The stream flow velocity parameters are determined as a function of the rainfall intensity, and the effective rainfall is calculated by the SCS method. The total direct runoff volume until the time to peak is estimated by assuming a triangular hydrograph. The model is used to estimate the time to peak, the flood discharge, and the direct runoff at Andong, Imha. Geomchon, and Sunsan basin in the Nakdong River system. The results of the model application are as follows : 1.For each basin, as the rainfall intensity doubles form 1 mm/h to 2 mm/h with the same rainfall duration of 1 hour, the hydrographs show that the runoff volume doubles while the duration of the base flow and the time to peak are the same. This aggrees with the theory of the unit hydrograph. 2.Comparisions of the model predicted and observed values show that small relative errors of 0.44-7.4% of the flood discharge, and 1 hour difference in time to peak except the Geomchon basin which shows 10.32% and 2 hours respectively. 3.When the rainfall intensity is small, the error of flood discharge estimated by using this model is relatively large. The reason of this might be because of introducing the flood velocity concept in the stream flow velocity. 4.Total direct runoff volume until the time to peak estimated by using this model has small relative error comparing with the observed data. 5.The sensitivity analysis of velocity parameters to flood discharge shows that the flood discharge is sensitive to the velocity coefficient while it is insensitive to the ratio of arrival time of moving portion to that of storage portion of a stream and to the ratio of arrival time of stream to that of overland flow.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.743-767
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• 2020

Due to the impressive flexural performance, enhanced compressive strength and more constrained crack propagation, Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) have been widely employed in the construction application. Majority of experimental studies have focused on the seismic behavior of FRC columns. Based on the valid experimental data obtained from the previous studies, the current study has evaluated the seismic response and compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns while following hybrid metaheuristic techniques. Due to the non-linearity of seismic data, Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has been incorporated with metaheuristic algorithms. 317 different datasets from FRC column tests has been applied as one database in order to determine the most influential factor on the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to the simulated seismic loading. ANFIS has been used with the incorporation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic algorithm (GA). For the analysis of the attained results, Extreme learning machine (ELM) as an authentic prediction method has been concurrently used. The variable selection procedure is to choose the most dominant parameters affecting the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to simulated seismic loading. Accordingly, the results have shown that ANFIS-PSO has successfully predicted the seismic lateral load with R² = 0.857 and 0.902 for the test and train phase, respectively, nominated as the lateral load prediction estimator. On the other hand, in case of compressive strength prediction, ELM is to predict the compressive strength with R² = 0.657 and 0.862 for test and train phase, respectively. The results have shown that the seismic lateral force trend is more predictable than the compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns, in which the best results belong to the lateral force prediction. Compressive strength prediction has illustrated a significant deviation above 40 Mpa which could be related to the considerable non-linearity and possible empirical shortcomings. Finally, employing ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-PSO techniques to evaluate the seismic response of FRC are a promising reliable approach to be replaced for high cost and time-consuming experimental tests.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.923-932
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine parameters of surface cover materials and evaluation the effects on runoff and sediment reductions with rice straw mat with PAM at watershed scale using the SWAT model. In this study, 1) regression equation of CN for rice straw mat + PAM using SCS curve number method was developed, 2) the USLE P factor, being able to reflect simulation of rice straw mat + PAM in the agricultural field, was estimated for various slope scenarios with VFSMOD-w. Then regression equation for CN and USLE P factor were used as input data in the SWAT model. Assuming rice straw mat + PAM is applied to radish and potato fields, occupying 24% of agricultural fields at the study watershed. Result of direct runoff without rice straw mat + PAM was $65,964,368\;m^3,$ with rice straw mat + PAM, direct runoff was $65,637,336\;m^3$, $327,031.8\;m^3$ reductions compared without it. Also, result of sediment without rice straw mat + PAM was 163,531 ton, with rice straw mat + PAM, sediment was 84,779 ton, 78,752 ton reduction compared without it. This analysis showed that about 48% sediment reductions would be expected with rice straw mat + PAM. As shown in this study, rice straw mat + PAM would be used as an efficient site-specific BMPs to reduce runoff and sediment discharge from field.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.239-258
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• 2012

In this paper, experimental investigations on high strength steel (HSS) stud connected steel-concrete composite (SCC) girders to understand the effect of shear connector density on their flexural behaviour is presented. SCC girder specimens were designed for three different shear capacities (100%, 85%, and 70%), by varying the number of stud connectors in the shear span. Three SCC girder specimens were tested under monotonic/quasi-static loading, while three similar girder specimens were subjected to non-reversal cyclic loading under simply supported end conditions. Details of casting the specimens, experimental set-up, and method of testing, instrumentation for the measurement of deflection, interface-slip and strain are discussed. It is found that SCC girder specimen designed for full shear capacity exhibits interface slip for loads beyond 25% of the ultimate load capacity. Specimens with lesser degree of shear connection show lower values of load at initiation of slip. Very good ductility is exhibited by all the HSS stud connected SCC girder specimens. It is observed that the ultimate moment of resistance as well as ductility gets reduced for HSS stud connected SCC girder with reduction in stud shear connector density. Efficiency factor indicating the effectiveness of high strength stud connectors in resisting interface forces is estimated to be 0.8 from the analysis. Failure mode is primarily flexure with fracturing of stud connectors and characterised by flexural cracking and crushing of concrete at top in the pure bending region. Local buckling in the top flange of steel beam was also observed at the loads near to failure, which is influenced by spacing of studs and top flange thickness of rolled steel section. One of the recommendations is that the ultimate load capacity can be limited to 1.5 times the plastic moment capacity of the section such that the post peak load reduction is kept within limits. Load-deflection behaviour for monotonic tests compared well with the envelope of load-deflection curves for cyclic tests. It is concluded from the experimental investigations that use of HSS studs will reduce their numbers for given loading, which is advantageous in case of long spans. Buckling of top flange of rolled section is observed at failure stage. Provision of lips in the top flange is suggested to avoid this buckling. This is possible in case of longer spans, where normally built-up sections are used.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2009

Keratin contains regulatory molecules that can enhance neuronal cell activity. We fabricated keratin/ PLGA films using 0, 10, 20, and 50 wt% of keratin using solvent casting method. We measured the contact angle of each film and cell proliferation was assayed by counting the cells attached on the film. Adhered cell morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscope. RT-PCR was conducted to evaluate the gene expression of NF, NSE, and S-100, the Schwann cell markers. The keratin content of 20 and 50 wt% provided higher wettability than PLGA. The 20 wt% keratin was better in cell adhesion and proliferation of SCs than other keratin/PLGA films. The phenotypic stability of SC was maintained with the keratin content of 10 and 20 wt%.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.823-827
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• 2010

This study was conducted to assess the propriety of models for soil water characteristics estimation in anthropogenic soil through the measurement of soil water content and soil water matric potential. Soil profile was characterized with four different soil layers. Soil texture was loamy sand for the first soil layer (from soil surface to 30 cm soil depth), sand for the second (30~70 cm soil depth) and the third soil layers (70~120 cm soil depth), and sandy loam for the fourth soil layer (120 cm < soil depth). Soil water retention curve (SWRC), the relation between soil water content and soil water matric potential, took a similar trend between different layers except the layer of below 120 cm soil depth. The estimation of SWRC and air entry value was better in van Genuchten model by analytical method than in Brooks-Corey model with power function. Therefore, it could be concluded that van Genuchten model is more desirable than Brook-Corey model for estimating soil water characteristics of anthropogenic soil accumulated with saprolite.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.551-565
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• 2019

A total of 36 carbon steel and stainless steel bolted connections subjected to shear loading at different strain rates was experimentally investigated. The connection specimens were fabricated from carbon steel grades 1.20 mm G500 and 1.90 mm G450, as well as cold-formed stainless steel types EN 1.4301 and EN 1.4162 with nominal thickness 1.50 mm. The connection tests were conducted by displacement control test method. The strain rates of 10 mm/min and 20 mm/min were used. Structural behaviour of the connection specimens tested at different strain rates was investigated in terms of ultimate load, elongation corresponding to ultimate load and failure mode. Generally, it is shown that the higher strain rate on the bolted connection specimens, the higher ultimate load was obtained. The ultimate loads were averagely 2-6% higher, while the corresponding elongations were averagely 8-9% higher for the test results obtained from the strain rate of 20 mm/min compared with those obtained from the lower strain rates (1.0 mm/min for carbon steel and 1.5 mm/min for stainless steel). The connection specimens were generally failed in plate bearing of the carbon steel and stainless steel. It is shown that increasing the strain rate up to 20 mm/min generally has no effect on the bearing failure mode of the carbon steel and stainless steel bolted connections. The test strengths and failure modes were compared with the results predicted by the bolted connection design rules in international design specifications, including the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS4600 2018), Eurocode 3 - Part 1.3 (EC3-1.3 2006) and North American Specification (AISI S100 2016) for cold-formed carbon steel structures as well as the American Specification (ASCE 2002), AS/NZS4673 (2001) and Eurocode 3 - Part 1.4 (EC3-1.4 2015) for stainless steel structures. It is shown that the AS/NZS4600 (2018), EC3-1.3 (2006) and AISI S100 (2016) generally provide conservative predictions for the carbon steel bolted connections. Both the ASCE (2002) and the EC3-1.4 (2015) provide conservative predictions for the stainless steel bolted connections. The EC3-1.3 (2006) generally provided more accurate predictions of failure mode for carbon steel bolted connections than the AS/NZS4600 (2018) and the AISI S100 (2016). The failure modes of stainless steel bolted connections predicted by the EC3-1.4 (2015) are more consistent with the test results compared with those predicted by the ASCE (2002).

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.705-720
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• 2024

Analyzing the collapse behavior of thin-walled steel structures holds significant importance in ensuring their safety and longevity. Geometric imperfections present on the surface of metal materials can diminish both the durability and mechanical integrity of steel shells. These imperfections, encompassing local geometric irregularities and deformations such as holes, cavities, notches, and cracks localized in specific regions of the shell surface, play a pivotal role in the assessment. They can induce stress concentration within the structure, thereby influencing its susceptibility to buckling. The intricate relationship between the buckling behavior of these structures and such imperfections is multifaceted, contingent upon a variety of factors. The buckling analysis of thin-walled steel shell structures, similar to other steel structures, commonly involves the determination of crucial material properties, including elastic modulus, shear modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness. An established method involves the emulation of distributed geometric imperfections, utilizing real test specimen data as a basis. This approach allows for the accurate representation and assessment of the diversity and distribution of imperfections encountered in real-world scenarios. Utilizing defect data obtained from actual test samples enhances the model's realism and applicability. The sizes and configurations of these defects are employed as inputs in the modeling process, aiding in the prediction of structural behavior. It's worth noting that there is a dearth of experimental studies addressing the influence of geometric defects on the buckling behavior of cylindrical steel shells. In this particular study, samples featuring geometric imperfections were subjected to experimental buckling tests. These same samples were also modeled using Finite Element Analysis (FEM), with results corroborating the experimental findings. Furthermore, the initial geometrical imperfections were measured using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. In this way, the response of the test specimens can be estimated accurately by applying the initial imperfections to FE models. After validation of the test results with FEA, a numerical parametric study was conducted to develop more generalized design recommendations for the stainless-steel shell structures with the initial geometric imperfection. While the load-carrying capacity of samples with perfect surfaces was up to 140 kN, the load-carrying capacity of samples with 4 mm defects was around 130 kN. Likewise, while the load carrying capacity of samples with 10 mm defects was around 125 kN, the load carrying capacity of samples with 14 mm defects was measured around 120 kN.