• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.353-362
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• 2014

Pore structures in porous rock play an important role in hydraulic & mechanical behaviour of rock. Porosity, size distribution and orientation of pores represent the characteristics of pore structures of porous rock. While effective porosity can be measured easily by conventional experiment, pore size distribution is hard to be quantified due to the lack of corresponding experiment. We assessed pore size distribution of Berea sandstone using X-ray CT image based analysis combined with associated images processing, i.e., image filtering, binarization and skeletonization subsequently followed by the assessment of local thickness and star chord length. The aim of this study is to propose a new and effective way to evaluate pore structures of porous rock using X-ray CT based analysis for pore size distribution.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.385-391
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• 2013

X-ray computed tomography is a very powerful nondestructive technique in safety inspection of historic timber building. But, in field, various testing condition makes it difficult to carry out X-ray CT testing. Limited size in X-ray digital detector is one of the problems. In this study, a pitch pine disk with two holes was used to know how imperfection in X-ray projection affects CT image resolution. Using various number of projections, CT image was reconstructed by filtered back projection method, and then it was investigated how many projection is required to identify the holes in different location. Two artificial holes could be differently detected according to their location in cross section of specimen. One hole in center part of specimen was identified using more than 9 radiographs, but the other one which located in outer part of cross section could not be detected until more than 36 projections were used. Even though there is data missing in outer part of cross section due to limited size of detector, the center part of CT image could be reconstructed well and the resolution of outer part became higher with increase of the number of projections. For field application, the number of projections for CT image reconstruction needs to be decided with consideration of another nondestructive testing and the location of interest.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.854-865
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• 2022

Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT is a new CT technology utilizing a direct conversion X-ray detector, where incident X-ray photon energies are directly recorded as electronical signals. The design of the photon-counting detector itself facilitates improvements in spatial resolution (via smaller detector pixel design) and iodine signal (via count weighting) while still permitting multi-energy imaging. PCD-CT can eliminate electronic noise and reduce artifacts due to the use of energy thresholds. Improved dose efficiency is important for low dose CT and pediatric imaging. The ultra-high spatial resolution of PCD-CT design permits lower dose scanning for all body regions and is particularly helpful in identifying important imaging findings in thoracic and musculoskeletal CT. Improved iodine signal may be helpful for low contrast tasks in abdominal imaging. Virtual monoenergetic images and material classification will assist with numerous diagnostic tasks in abdominal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular imaging. Dual-source PCD-CT permits multi-energy CT images of the heart and coronary arteries at high temporal resolution. In this special review article, we review the clinical benefits of this technology across a wide variety of radiological subspecialties.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.501-504
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• 2003

The purpose of this work is to introduce some fundamental stereological concepts to quantify damage parameters using X-ray CT(Computed Tomography) in the scope of CDM(Continuum Damage Mechanics). X-ray CT is a completely nondestructive technique for visualizing features in the interior of opaque solid objects, and for obtaining digital information on their 3D geometries and properties. Many researchers have introduced lots of damage parameters to model the mechanical behavior of deteriorated materials. Those damage parameters can be represented in many forms such as specific void or crack surfaces, the spacing between cracks, the specific damaged surface area, the specific damaged surface area tensor, the mean solid path among the damaged surfaces and the mean solid path tensor. Despite of many accomplishments in CDM since there is no the systematic experiment, it have limitations in application. In this situation, X-ray computed tomography is highlited by many researchers and applied in a wide range of materials including rock, bone, ceramic, metal, soft tissue and concrete.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.400-414
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• 2021

Under high-level radioactive waste repository conditions, bentonite as an engineered barrier material undergoes thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes. We report the applications of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) imaging technique on the characterization and analysis of bentonite over the past decade to provide a reference of the utilization of this technique and the recent research trends. This overview of the X-ray CT technique applications includes the characterization of the bentonite either in pellets or powder form. X-ray imaging has provided a means to extract grain information at the microscale and identify crack networks responsible for the pellets' heterogeneity. Regarding samples of pellets-powder mixtures under hydration, X-ray CT allowed the identification and monitoring of heterogeneous zones throughout the test. Some results showed how zones with pellets only swell faster compared to others composed of pellets and powder. Moreover, the behavior of fissures between grains and bentonite matrix was observed to change under drying and hydrating conditions, tending to close during the former and open during the latter. The development of specializing software has allowed obtaining strain fields from a sequence of images. In more recent works, X-ray CT technique has served to estimate the dry density, water content, and particle displacement at different testing times. Also, when temperature was added to the hydration process of a sample, CT technology offered a way to observe localized and global density changes over time.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2007.09a
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• pp.514-527
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• 2007

Earth reinforcement techniques are used worldwide and offer proven solutions to a wide range of geotechnical engineering problems. Here in this paper, recent developments of three major reinforced soil retaining wall methods in Japan were introduced in order to show how the current situation of this technique in Japan is. And the statistical data for the volume of the use was also shown, such as the total volume of the use, the scales of the structures, layout of the earth reinforcement, fill materials, and foundation conditions. Some of the case histories were also introduced with photographs and figures. And then, as one of recent research activity by the author, the study on the application of X-ray CT for the problem of earth reinforcement method combined with other method such as piling and soil improvement was introduced. In this study, a series of model test for several reinforced ground with geogrids was conducted using a newly developed test apparatus. Then, the behavior in the soil box was scanned after settlement using X-ray CT scanner. Based on these test results, the reinforcing effect by the geogrids and the soil arching effect over the pile heads was discussed precisely and those are done in 3-D with nondestructive condition. Finally, the effectiveness of the use of X-ray CT scanner in geotechnical engineering was promised.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.46-52
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• 2001

In this paper it was examined both imaging system and processing algorithm for imaging's high speedization of fluorescent X-ray computed tomography using synchrotron radiation, The electronic system was used for dead time by about 6% but shortening of measure time was achieved by 2 seconds per 1 point. Also efficiency of reconstruction algorithm was proved, and memory and calculation amount was decreased by about 1/100 The fixed quantity was confirmed by physical phantom, and iodine distribution was presumed from image of thyroid gland in vitro These result shows realization possibility of fluorescent X-ray computed tomography measure in vivo.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2022

Electrical pulse disintegration(ED) is known as an efficient technology for recovering valuable resources by inducing dielectric breakdown in solids to separate mineral interfaces in ores among the crushing technologies by high voltage discharge. In this study, ED crushing experiment and mechanical crushing experiment of sulfide minerals were performed, and SEM analysis and Microfocus X-Ray CT of the crushed product were performed in order to analyze the disintegration characteristics of zinc minerals exist in the sulfide minerals by the shock wave generated in the solid by high voltage discharge.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2010

Objectives : To demonstrate the need for differential diagnosis between discogenic pain and lumbar sprain and strain in acute low-back pain patients. Methods : Outpatients who made their first visits during May 1, 2009 to Oct. 30, 2009(n=53) were examined by history taking, physical examination, X-rays, and CT imaging. Disorders found on lumbosacral spine X-ray cuts and those on lumbosacral spine CT images were separately recorded. The relationship between treatment period, disc space narrowing and disc degeneration on X-rays, and HIVD on CT images was examined. Results : 1. Correlation between disc space narrowing on X-rays and HIVD found on CT images was analyzed. 21(72.41%) out of 29 patients having disc space narrowing on X-rays and HIVD on CT at the same level required treatment for over 8 weeks. 2. 2(50%) out of 4 Lawrence classification grade I patients, 8(66.67%) out of 12 grade II patients, and 14(70%) out of 20 grade III patients needed treatment for over 8 weeks. Conclusions : Disc space narrowing on X-ray and HIVD on CT at the same level, or disc space narrowing and disc degeneration on X-ray image alone indicate a tendency for treatment periods over 8 weeks, which is longer than the conventional treatment period for lumbar strain and sprain.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.103-112
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• 2010

This study was done to provide basic data on the safety of professionals in medical imaging system by measuring the electromagnetic waves generated in the medical imaging system being used in medical organization. The studied medical imaging systems were general X-ray system, computed tomography(CT), ultrasonographic system, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), PET-CT and fluoroscopic system, and through these devices, electric field and magnetic field were measured and analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the measured values classified by the medical organizations were not much significant, but in the measurement by the medical imaging systems, there were high hazard elements in the sequential order of electric field PET-CT($17.7{\pm}22.9$)v/m, CT($10.3{\pm}8.7$)v/m, general X-ray system ($8.8{\pm}8.8$)v/m, magnetic field general X-ray system($5.06{\pm}8.26$)mG, CT($2.71{\pm}4.53$)mG and PET-CT($0.74{\pm}0.34$)mG, the systems that adopted X-ray as main ray source, and the more aged the medical imaging systems, the greater the effects of electro-magnetic waves($10.6{\pm}15.93v/m$ for 5 years or more, $6.14{\pm}5.60v/m$ for 5 years or less). The effects of electromagnetic waves on medical imaging systems or facilities were not much when the notification of ministry of knowledge economy is considered, but in the overall perspective considering all the equipments and facility of the medical organization, such effects were significant. It is determined that sustainable safety managements of electric field and magnetic field must be done during process from medical imaging system installation to maintenance to rule out such factors.