• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.205-218
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• 2022

Proper calculation of splitting tensile strength (STS) of concrete has been a crucial task, due to the wide use of concrete in the construction sector. Following many recent studies that have proposed various predictive models for this aim, this study suggests and tests the functionality of three hybrid models in predicting the STS from the characteristics of the mixture components including cement compressive strength, cement tensile strength, curing age, the maximum size of the crushed stone, stone powder content, sand fine modulus, water to binder ratio, and the ratio of sand. A multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network incorporates invasive weed optimization (IWO), cuttlefish optimization algorithm (CFOA), and electrostatic discharge algorithm (ESDA) which are among the newest optimization techniques. A dataset from the earlier literature is used for exploring and extrapolating the STS behavior. The results acquired from several accuracy criteria demonstrated a nice learning capability for all three hybrid models viz. IWO-MLP, CFOA-MLP, and ESDA-MLP. Also in the prediction phase, the prediction products were in a promising agreement (above 88%) with experimental results. However, a comparative look revealed the ESDA-MLP as the most accurate predictor. Considering mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) index, the error of ESDA-MLP was 9.05%, while the corresponding value for IWO-MLP and CFOA-MLP was 9.17 and 13.97%, respectively. Since the combination of MLP and ESDA can be an effective tool for optimizing the concrete mixture toward a desirable STS, the last part of this study is dedicated to extracting a predictive formula from this model.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2023

The aim of the study was to establish the influence of particle size, chemical and phase composition of fine microspherical high-calcium fly ash (HCFA), as well as superplasticizer content on the strength of cementless composite materials based on 100% HCFA and mixtures of HCFA with Portland cement (PC). For the initial HCFA fractions, the particle size distribution, chemical and quantitative phase composition were determined. The compressive strength of cured composite materials obtained at W/B 0.4 and 0.25 was determined at a curing time of 3-300 days. For cementless materials, it was found that a change in the particle size d90 from 30 ㎛ (fraction 3) to 10 ㎛ (fraction 4) leads to an increase in compressive strength by more than 2 times. Compressive strength increases by at least another 2.2 times with the addition of Melflux 5581F superplasticizer (0.12%) and at W/B 0.25. The HCFA-PC blends were investigated in the range of 60-90% HCFA and the maximum compressive strength was found at 80% HCFA. On the basis of 80% HCFA-20% PC blend, the samples of ultra-high strength (108 and 150 MPa at 28 and 100 days of hardening) were obtained with the addition of 0.3% Melflux 5581F and 5% silica fume. The quantitative phase composition was determined for composite materials with a curing age of 28 days. It has been established that in a sample with ultra-high strength, a more complete transformation of the initial phases of both HCFA and PC occurs as compared to their transformation separately.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2024

The Voids in the Mineral Aggregate (VMA) within asphalt mixtures play a crucial role in defining the mixture's structural integrity, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. Accurate prediction and optimization of VMA are essential for enhancing the performance and longevity of asphalt pavements, particularly in varying climatic and environmental conditions. This study introduces a novel machine learning framework leveraging ensemble machine learning model for predicting VMA in asphalt mixtures. By analyzing a comprehensive set of variables, including aggregate size distribution, binder content, and compaction levels, our framework offers a more precise prediction of VMA than traditional single-model approaches. The use of advanced machine learning techniques not only surpasses the accuracy of conventional empirical methods but also significantly reduces the reliance on extensive laboratory testing. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of a data-driven approach in the field of asphalt mixture design, showcasing a path toward more efficient and sustainable pavement engineering practices. This research contributes to the advancement of predictive modeling in construction materials, offering valuable insights for the design and optimization of asphalt mixtures with optimal void characteristics.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2015

To evaluate the effects of limestone powder and silica fume on the properties of high-strength high-volume ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) blended cement concrete, this study investigated the rheology, strength development, hydration and pozzolanic reaction characteristics, porosity and pore size distribution of high-strength mortars with the water-to-binder ratio of 20, 50 to 80% GGBFS, up to 20% limestone powder, and up to 10% silica fume. According to test results, compared with the Portland cement mixture, the high-volume GGBFS mixture had much higher flow due to the low surface friction of GGBFS particles and higher strength in the early age due to the accelerated cement hydration by increase of free water; however, because of too low water-to-binder ratio and cement content, and lack of calcium hydroxide content, the pozzolanic reactio cannot be activated and the long-term strength development was limited. Limestone powder did not affect the flowability, and also accelerate the early cement hydration. However, because its effect on the acceleration of cement hydration is not greater than that of GGBFS, and it does not have hydraulic reactivity unlikely to GGBFS, compressive strength was reduced proportional to the replacement ratio of limestone powder. Also, silica fume and very fine GGBFS lowered flow and strength by absorbing more free water required for cement hydration. Capillary porosities of GGBFS blended mortars were smaller than that of OPC mortar, but the effect of limestone powder on porosity was not noticeable, and silica fume increased porosity due to low degree of hydration. Nevertheless, it is confirmed that the addition of GGBFS and silica fume increases fine pores.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.137-143
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• 2016

OBJECTIVES : Bituminous materials, such as tack coat, are utilized between pavement layers for improving the bond strength in pavement construction sites. The standards regarding the application of bituminous material are not clearly presented in the Korean construction guideline without RS(C)-4. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the optimum content of bituminous materials by analyzing interlayer shear strength (ISS) from the direct shear tester, which was developed in this research. The shear strength of tack coat was defined with the sort of bituminous materials. METHODS : The mixtures for the shear test were made using marshall mix design. The specimens were vertically and horizontally separated for the direct shear test. The separated specimens were bonded using bituminous material. The objectives of the experiment are to determine the performance of bond and shear properties resulting from slippage, rutting, shovel, and corrugation of asphalt pavements. A machine based on the Louisiana interlayer shear strength tester (LISST) of NCHRP Report-712 was developed to determine the ISS. The applied types of tack coat were RS(C)-4, AP-3, QRS-4, and BD-coat with contents of $0.3{\ell}/m^2$, $0.45{\ell}/m^2$, $0.6{\ell}/m^2$, and $0.8{\ell}/m^2$, respectively. RESULTS : Table 2 gives the results of the direct shear test using the developed shear machine. The BD-coat type indicated the highest average ISS value compared to the others. Between the surface and binder course, optimum tack coat application rates for AP-3, RS(C)-4, QRS-4, and BD-Coat were $0.6{\ell}/m^2$, $0.3{\ell}/m^2$, $0.6{\ell}/m^2$, and $0.45{\ell}/m^2$, respectively. These optimum contents were determined using the ISS value. CONCLUSIONS : The ISS values of AP-3, RS(C)-4, and QRS-4 showed similar tendencies when ISS increased in the range $0.3{\sim}0.6{\ell}/m^2$, while ISS decreased when the applied rate exceeded $0.6{\ell}/m^2$. Similarly, the highest ISS value of the BD-coat was observed when the applied rate was $0.45{\ell}/m^2$. However, shear strength was similar to the maximum value of ISS when the tack-coat application rate of BD-Coat exceeded $0.45{\ell}/m^2$.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.122-134
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• 1998

In this review, we describe the electrochemical properties of spinel-type lithium manganese oxides $(Li_xMn_2O_4)$ and their failure modes encountered in 4 V lithium rechargable cells. The long-term cyclability (reversibility) of spinel electrodes is determined partly by the purity, size and distribution of spinel particles, and also by the microstructure of electrode plates. A proper selection of electrolytes is another important task in cyclability enhancements. In the spinel preparation, impurity formation and cation mixing should be minimized. The carbon content in composite cathodes should also be minimized to the extent where the cell polarization does not bring about adverse effects on cell performances. The binder content should be optimized on the basis of dispersion of component materials and mechanical strength of the plates. Cathodic capacity losses arising from solvent oxidation and spinel dissolution can be mitigated by using electrolytes composed of carbonates and/or fluorine-containing lithium salts. The carbon additives may be selected after a trade-off between the cell polarization in composite cathodes and the solvent oxidation on carbon surface.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2017

This study is to investigate experimentally the effect of refining of fly ash (FA) on the engineering properties of the cement mortar. Five different FAs are used including raw fly ash, refined fly ash, reject ash and their two different combinations. The cement mortars are fabricated with 1:1(binder to fine aggregate), 1 : 3 and 1 : 5 respectively, which are replaced 30% of FA by cement. Test results, indicated that, the flow of Ra showed lower flowability than Rf at all mixing ratios. Also in the case of Rj, it was expected to show low fluidity, but it showed flowability equal to or higher than Rf. Air contents are all formulations except Rf and Rj did not satisfy the target range. Using Ra, the refining process shows an air amount about 41% lower than Rf, in the case of Rj, it showed about 19% higher air content than Rf due to porous foreign matters inside the mortar. Compressive strength was in the early days 3 and 7, the strength was lower than that of Plain's OPC, after 28 days Rf exerts higher strength than other FAs, it was confirmed that higher strength than OPC can be secured at a mixing ratio of 1: 1 and 1: 3. For frost resistance, the use of unrefined FA resulted in decrease of frost resistance sharply due to loss of air content by the use of unrefined FA. Therefore, it is considered that the use of high quality FA through refining process will contribute positively to the economical formulation of concrete and the stability of the structure.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2009

This study is aimed to derive the optimum mix proportion of the combined self compacting concrete according to cement types (blast-furnace slag cement and belite cement) and to propose the basic data to field construction work after evaluating the quality properties. Specially, lime stone powder (LSP) as binder and viscosity agent are used in the combined self compacting concrete because slurry wall of an underground LNG storage tank should be kept stability of quality during concrete working. Replacement ratio of LSP is determined by confined water ratio test and main design factors including fine aggregate ratio ($S_r$), coarse aggregate ratio ($G_v$) and water-cement ratio (W/C) are selected. Also, quality properties including setting time, bleeding content, shortening depth and hydration heat on the optimum mix proportion of the combined self compacting concrete according to cement type are compared and analyzed. As test results, the optimum mix proportion of the combined self compacting concrete according to cement type is as followings. 1) Slag cement type-replacement ratio of LSP 13.5%, $S_r$ 47% and W/C 41%. 2) Belite cement type-replacement ratio of LSP 42.7%, Sr 43% and W/C 51%. But optimum coarse aggregate ratio is 53% regardless of cement types. Also, as test results regarding setting time, bleeding content, shortening depth and hydration heat of the combined self compacting concrete by cement type, belite cement type is most stable in the quality properties and is to apply the actual construction work.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.18-21
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• 1999

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding frequency on growth and body composition in juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Triplicate groups of the 40 fish averaging 1.6 g were fed the 2 different commercial diets (D-1 and D-2) and moist pellet (MP) contained frozen horse mackerel and commercial binder meal at different feeding frequencies of 4 times daily, 3 times daily, 2 times daily, once a day or once in 2 days. Growth and feed intake of fish were affected by diets and feeding frequencies (P<0.05). Feed intake ($\%$ of body wt.) in the all diet groups was significantly decreased according to feeding frequency decreased (P<0.05). Weight gain of fish fed the each diet were increased according to feeding frequency increased, although no significant differences were observed between 3 times and 4 times daily (P>0,05). If the same feeding frequency, feed intake and growth of fish fed the moist pellet were lower (P<0.05) than those of commercial diets (D-1 or D-2), probably due to the relatively high moisture content or unbalanced nutrients. Whole body lipid content of fish fed the each diet at once in 2 days was the lowest among feeding frequencies. These results indicate that 3 times daily feeding regimen may be more effective than that of 4 times daily and moist pellet in this study will not be used as a practical type of diet for juvenile olive flounder weighing between 1,6 g and 4 g.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2012

Differently from fly ash, the bottom ash produced from thermal power generation has been treated as an industrial waste matter, and almost reclaimed or was applied with the additive of the part concrete. Bottom ash has various problems to use with the aggregate. Bottom ash is lighter than typically the sand or the gravel and it's physical properties (compressive strength etc.) is somewhat low because of high absorptance. In order to manufacture the ash concrete, we used a bottom ash as a main material and a pure sulfur as a binder. In this study, fundamental research methods that vary the grain-size of bottom ash and the ratio of sulfur vs ash were investigated to improve the quality of ash concrete such as compressive strength. Bottom ash in this research which occurs from domestic 4 place power plants, was checked physical and chemical properties. The compressive strength seems the result which simultaneously undergoes an influence in content of the sulfur and Bottom ash grain-size. We got the result of the maximum 92 MPa. The compressive strength was high result for grain size below 1.2 mm and high sulfur content.