• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.715-728
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• 2022

A new type of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) with a longitudinally profiled steel plate working as the core (LPBRB) is proposed and experimentally investigated. Different from conventional BRBs with a constant thickness core, both stiffness and strength of the longitudinally profiled steel core along its longitudinal direction can change through itself variable thickness, thus the construction of LPBRB saves material and reduces the processing cost. Four full-scale component tests were conducted under quasi-static cyclic loading to evaluate the seismic performance of LPBRB. Three stiffening methods were used to improve the fatigue performance of LPBRBs, which were bolt-assembled T-shaped stiffening ribs, partly-welded stiffening ribs and stiffening segment without rib. The experimental results showed LPBRB specimens displayed stable hysteretic behavior and satisfactory seismic property. There was no instability or rupture until the axial ductility ratio achieved 11.0. Failure modes included the out-of-plane buckling of the stiffening part outside the restraining member and core plate fatigue fracture around the longitudinally profiled segment. The effect of the stiffening methods on the fatigue performance is discussed. The critical buckling load of longitudinally profiled segment is derived using Euler theory. The local bulging behavior of the outer steel tube is analyzed with an equivalent beam model. The design recommendations for LPBRB are presented finally.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2022

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.349-358
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• 2023

Real-Time Hybrid Testing (RTHT) requires the numerical substructure calculations to be completed within the defined integration time interval due to its real-time loading demands. For solving the problem, A Real-Time Hybrid Testing based on Restart-Loading Technology (RTHT-RLT) is proposed in this paper. In the proposed method, in case of the numerical substructure calculations cannot be completed within the defined integration time interval, the experimental substructure was returned back to the initial state statically. When the newest loading commands were calculated by the numerical substructure, the experimental substructure was restarted loading from the initial state to the newest loading commands so as to precisely disclosing the dynamic performance of the experimental substructure. Firstly, the methodology of the RTHT-RLT is proposed. Furthermore, the numerical simulations and experimental tests on one frame structure with a viscous damper are conducted for evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed RTHT-RLT. It is shown that the proposed RTHT-RLT innovatively renders the nonreal-time refined calculation of the numerical substructure feasible for the RTHT. The numerical and experimental results show that the proposed RTHT-RLT exhibits excellent performance in terms of stability and accuracy. The proposed RTHT-RLT may have broad application prospects for precisely investigating the dynamic behavior of large and complex engineering structures with specific experimental substructure where a restarting procedure does not affect the relevant hysteretic response.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dancers with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit different characteristics in dynamic postural control ability and ankle joint laxity compared to dancers without CAI and non-dancers with CAI. Method: Twelve dancers with CAI, 14 dancers without CAI, and 12 non-dancers with CAI participated in the study. Dynamic balance was evaluated using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the single-leg hop balance. The laxity of the ankle joint was evaluated through the anterior drawer test and the talar tilt test. SEBT measured maximum reach distances in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Single-leg hop assessed center of pressure (COP) and time-to-boundary (TTB) outcomes. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests were performed to compare the outcome variables among the three groups. Results: Dancers with CAI demonstrated greater reach distance in the posterolateral direction compared to non-dancers with CAI during SEBT (p=.014). Secondly, dancers without CAI showed greater reach distance in the posterolateral (p<.001) and posteromedial (p=.001) directions during SEBT compared to non-dancers with CAI. Additionally, dancers without CAI exhibited better postural control with higher TTB AP mean of minima (p=.003) and TTB AP standard deviation of minima (p=.012) during single-leg hop compared to nondancers with CAI. Thirdly, dancers with CAI showed a lower positive rate during the anterior drawer test compared to non-dancers with CAI (p=.019). Conclusion: Dancers with CAI demonstrated better ankle function and reduced mechanical instability compared to non-dancers with CAI. Therefore, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of lateral ankle sprain and CAI development exacerbation in dancers, additional factors that can affect ankle sprain, such as visual dependence during postural control and evaluation in dance movements, should be explored.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.325-341
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• 2024

Objective: To correlate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology and position with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA), and Jaw Tracker (JT) to develop a radiation-free, dynamic method for screening and monitoring the TMJ in orthodontic patients. Methods: A total of 236 orthodontic patients without symptoms of TMJ disorders who had undergone CBCT were selected for the JVA and JT tests in this cross-sectional study. TMJ position and morphology were measured using a three-dimensional analysis software. JT measurements involved six opening-closing cycles, and JVA measurements were performed using a metronome to guide the mouth opening-closing movements of the patients. The correlations among the three measuring devices were evaluated. Results: Abnormalities in condylar surface morphology affected the mandibular range of motion. The cut-off value results show that when various measurement groups are within a certain range, abnormalities may be observed in morphology (area under the curve, 0.81; P < 0.001). A 300/< 300 Hz ratio ≥ 0.09 suggested abnormal morphology (P < 0.05). Correlations were observed among the maximum opening velocity, maximum vertical opening position, and joint spaces in the JT measurements. Correlations were also observed between the > 300/< 300 Hz ratio, median frequency, total integral, integral < 300 Hz, and peak frequency with joint spaces in the JVA measurements. Conclusions: JT and JVA may serve as rapid, non-invasive, and radiation-free dynamic diagnostic tools for monitoring and screening TMJ abnormalities before and during orthodontic treatment.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.233-247
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• 2017

In Europe and the USA, the use of limit state design method has been established, and the Korea Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs has implemented the bridge substructure design standard based on the critical state. But Korean piling methods and ground conditions are different from Europe and USA, the limit state design method can not be used immediately. In this study, the resistance coefficient was proposed by comparing and analyzing the results of the static load test(9 times) and dynamic load tests(9 times of EOID and 9 times of Restrike) with the bearing capacity calculated by Meyerhof(LH design standard, Road bridge design standard) method and surcharge load method(using Terzaghi's bearing capacity coefficient and Hansen & Vesic's bearing capacity coefficient). The previous LHI study showed the resistance coefficient of the LH design standard was 0.36 ~ 0.44, and this research result showed the resistance coefficient was 0.39 ~ 0.48 which is about 8% higher than the previous study. In this study, we tried to obtain the resistance coefficient mainly from the static load test and the resistance coefficient was 0.57 ~ 0.69(Meyhof method : LH design standard) based on the ultimate bearing capacity and the resistance coefficient was 0.49 ~ 0.60(Meyhof method : LH design standard) based on the Davissons bearing capacity. The difference of the resistance coefficient between the static and dynamic load test was greater than that we expected, we proposed the resistance coefficient(0.52 ~ 0.62 : Meyerhof method: LH design standard) using the modified bearing capacity of the dynamic load test. Summarizing the result, the coefficient of resistance obtained from the static and dynamic load tests was 0.35 ~ 0.76, which is greater than 0.3 suggested by the Road bridge design standard, so the economical design might be possible using the coefficient of resistance proposed by this study.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.399-407
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• 2010

The flexural behaviors of two types of beam members exposed to freeze-thaw cycles were evaluated. This study aims to examine the effect of freeze-thaw cycles on the behavior characteristics of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. For the purpose, a part of the beam specimens were damaged until yielding of tension reinforcement was reached, before they were exposed to 150 and 300 cycles of freeze-thaw. Cyclic tests, as well as monotonic tests, were conducted to evaluate the stiffness degradation characteristics when same cycle is repeated. The material tests showed that relative dynamic modulus of concrete exposed to 300 cycles of freeze-thaw moderately decreased to 86.8% of normal concrete, indicating that concrete used in this study has good durability against freeze and thaw damage. The results of monotonic tests showed reduction of flexural strength, ductility and stiffness of the beam specimens exposed to freeze-thaw cycles compared with those of the control speciments. In particular, BDF13 specimens, which had been subjected to artificial cracking damage, did not showed enough flexural strength to satisfy nominal moment required by current concrete structure design code. In the monotonic tests results, BF75 specimens exposed to freeze-thaw cycles showed 10% or more cyclic stiffness degradation. Therefore, it was thought that deformation of concrete in compression have to be considered in design process of members under cyclic load, such as seismic device.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.694-702
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• 2017

In the case of an elevated railway station, structure borne noise and vibration due to structural limitations allow the load and vibration from railway vehicles to be directly transmitted to the station structure, resulting in an increase in the number of civil complaints from customers and staff of the station. The floating slab track system, which is well known as one of the solutions for reducing the noise and vibration from elevated railway stations, usually contains rubber mounts or rubber pads under the railway slab which act as a damper. These types of device have the disadvantage that is difficult to predetermine the exact stiffness and damping ratio under the nonlinear loads resulting from train services. In this study, an isolator with a friction type of wedge is introduced, which can be applied to floating slab track systems and to be designed with precisely the required stiffness. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the stiffness between the designed and experimental values is carried out, while the damping ratio, which is closely related to the friction wedge blocks, is deduced according to the train load condition. The performance tests of the isolator were conducted in accordance with the DIN 45673-7 standard which includes both static and dynamic load tests. The load conditions for the performance tests are designed to conform to the DIN standard related to the weight of the train and rail track, in order to perform vertical and horizontal load tests, so as to ensure the secure structural safety of the railway. Also, by checking the change aspect of the friction coefficients of the friction elements according to the loading rate, the vibration reduction performance of the friction type isolator with variable loading rate conditions is examined.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.51-61
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• 2014

This paper presents an experimental study of the plugging effect on the capacity of open-ended piles installed in sandy soil. Full-scale tests, including dynamic and static axial-compression load tests, were carried out on three instrumented piles with different diameters (508.0, 711.2 and 914.4 mm). To measure the outer and inner shaft resistances acting on the piles, a double-walled system was utilized with instrumented strain gauges on the outside and inside walls of the pile. The results of field tests show that the inner shaft resistance was mostly mobilized at the location between the pile tip and 18-34% of the total plug length. It was found that the soil plugging in the lower portion has influence on the inner shaft resistance. In addition, it can be also demonstrated that the ratio of inner shaft resistance plus annulus load resistance to total resistance decreased with increasing pile diameters. The results of these tests show that the relationship between the degree of plugging and pile diameter is clearly established. Direct observations of the soil plugs were made and used to quantify both the plug length ratio (PLR) and the incremental filling ratio (IFR). Based on this result, it was found that the N value of the standard penetration test (SPT) is highly correlated with the IFR.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.371-378
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• 2021

This study examined the effects of combined exercise training for preventing falls on the physical performance, falling index, and balance in elderly women. All subjects (N = 32) were recruited and divided randomly to either a combined exercise group (n= 16, EX) or non-exercise control group (n = 16, CON). During 12 weeks of training, the subjects in the EX performed the combined exercise programs (three times/week, 60min/session), and the subjects in the CON maintained their ordinary lives. At the PRE, MID, POST tests, All subjects completed senior fitness tests(dynamic balance, two minutes walking, sit and stand for 30 seconds), tests for falling risk with Tetrax, and tests for posture balance with the spine balance 3D. After the baseline tests, two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with contrast testing was used with SPSS 21.0. Alpha was set to 0.05. In the results, the dynamin balance (p=.001), two minutes walking (p=.001), sit and stand for 30 seconds (p=.001), falling risk (p=.002), and posture balance (p=.034) in the EX were significantly different, but not in the CON. Thus, elderly females who performed combined exercise training for 12 weeks can increase their physical fitness & posture stability and reduce their falling risk.