• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.327-336
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• 2024

Evaluation of tunnel performance in seismic-prone areas demands efficient means of estimating performance at different hazard levels. The present study introduces an innovative push-over analysis approach which employs the standard earthquake spectrum to simulate the performance of a tunnel. The numerical simulation has taken into account the lining and surrounding rock to calculate the rock-tunnel interaction subjected to a static push-over displacement regime. Elastic perfectly plastic models for the lining and hardening strain rock medium were used to portray the development of plastic hinges, nonlinear deformation, and performance of the tunnel structure. Separately using a computational algorithm, the non-linear response spectrum was approximated from the average shear strain of the rock model. A NATM tunnel in Turkey was chosen for parametric study. A seismic performance curve and two performance thresholds are introduced that are based on the proposed nonlinear seismic static loading approach and the formation of plastic hinges. The tunnel model was also subjected to a harmonic excitation with a smooth response spectrum and different amplitudes in the fully-dynamic phase to assess the accuracy of the approach. The parametric study investigated the effects of the lining stiffness and capacity and soil stiffness on the seismic performance of the tunnel.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.309-324
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• 2024

Internal curing, a widely used method for mitigating early-age shrinkage in concrete, also offers notable advantages for concrete durability. This paper explores the potential of internal curing by partial replacement of sand with fine lightweight aggregate for enhancing the behavior of high-performance concrete at elevated temperatures. Such a technique may prove economical and safe for the construction of skyscrapers, where explosive spalling of high-performance concrete in fire is a potential hazard. To reach this aim, the physico-mechanical features of internally cured high-strength concrete specimens, including mass loss, compressive strength, strain at peak stress, modulus of elasticity, stress-strain curve, toughness, and flexural strength, were investigated under different temperature exposures; and to predict some of these mechanical properties, a number of equations were proposed. Based on the experimental results, an advanced stress-strain model was proposed for internally cured high-performance concrete at different temperature levels, the results of which agreed well with the test data. It was observed that the replacement of 10% of sand with pre-wetted fine lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) not only did not reduce the compressive strength at ambient temperature, but also prevented explosive spalling and could retain 20% of its ambient compressive strength after heating up to 800℃. It was then concluded that internal curing is an excellent method to enhance the performance of high-strength concrete at elevated temperatures.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.157-169
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• 2024

The sudden release of water from a dam failure can trigger bores on a flat surface and exert substantial impact forces on structures. This flow poses a high-risk flood hazard to downstream urban areas, making it imperative to study its impact on structures and devise effective energy dissipators to mitigate its force. In this study, a combination of Genetic Algorithm optimization and numerical modeling is employed to identify the optimal energy dissipator. The analysis reveals that a round arc-shaped structure proves most effective, followed by a triangular shape. These shapes offer wide adaptability in terms of structure dimensions. Structures with higher elevation, especially those with round or triangular shapes, demonstrate superior energy dissipation capabilities. Conversely, square-shaped structures necessitate minimal height to minimize impact forces. The optimal width for dissipating energy is found to be 0.9 meters, allowing for effective wave run-up and propagation. Furthermore, the force exerted on structures increases with higher initial water levels, but diminishes with distance from the dam, highlighting the importance of placement in mitigating impact forces.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.879-886
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• 2024

In the dynamic construction industry, particularly within the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), ensuring worker safety in high-risk environments is a critical challenge. This study explores the integration of wearable technology in construction safety, focusing on its potential to enhance personal protective equipment (PPE). The primary goal of this study is to understand the factors influencing USACE employees' acceptance and adoption of wearable technology. Additionally, the research aims to assess the experiences of employees who have already used such technology to identify its practical benefits and levels of user satisfaction. A mixed-method approach was employed to gather qualitative insights from interviews with USACE safety experts and quantitative data from an online survey of USACE personnel. The findings indicate a general reluctance among workers to adopt wearable technology for monitoring work activities, mainly due to privacy concerns, usability issues, and perceived additional workload. However, there is interest in technologies that provide direct safety benefits, such as hazard alerts. This study illuminates the gap between the potential benefits of wearable technology and its current level of acceptance in the construction industry. It identifies the need for strategies to enhance worker acceptance and offers recommendations for future research.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.231-238
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• 1986

This field experiment was undertaken to assess the effects of three levels of inclination ($10^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$) and four rates of $N-P_2O_5-K_2O$ (0-0-0, 14-10-10, 28-25-25, and 42-40-40 kg/10a) on the hilly pasture concerning to establishment, forage yield and quality, and botanical composition in the mixed grass-clover sward set up on a new reclaimed woodland by an oversowing method. This part was concerned with the concentration and mutual balance of mineral nutrients in relation to grass tetany hazard. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Concentration of exchangeable Mg, relative proportions of Mg to CEC, K, and Ca in soil were considerably below the critical level for good forage growth and prevention of grass tetany. These properties were rather worsened by increasing the inclination grade and the NPK rate. 2. Compared with the critical level for the likelihood of tetany (Mg < 0.2%, K > 2.5%, and K/(Ca+Mg) equivalent ratio > 2.2 in forages in DM basis), mean concentration of Mg in mixed forages turned out to range from 0.09 to 0.14%. 2.6% of K concentration and 2.5 of K/(Ca+Mg) equivalent ratio were shown to be at a normal NPK rate. The likelihood of grass tetany was generally enhanced by increasing the inclination grade and the NPK rate. 3. The increasing of the inclination grade and NPK rate rather aggravated the low Mg concentration and unbalanced mutual ratios of mineral nutrients, from which resulted the grass tetany hazard and the depression of forage growth. To prevent these two resulted factors, Mg fertilization on grassland and/or extra Mg supplement to dairy cattle needed to be carried out. 4. The Ca/P ratios in the mixed forages ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 were reduced by the increased rate of NPK, whereas the difference due to inclination grade was yet to be recognized.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2011

Some industrial minerals used in domestic industries such as monazite, apatite, bauxite, and ilmenite belong to NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) because they show a high radioactivity. Products, semi-products, wastes, and by-products which show higher radioactivity than NORM belong to TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials). Apatite used for manufacturing phosphate fertilizer in Namhae Chemical company belongs to NORM, and its by-product, phospo-gypsum, belongs to TENORM. A geological investigation is needed for the future environmental impact assessment of the Namhae Chemical company's site. According to survey results of the Namhae Chemical company's site, soil mineral composition indicated the mixture of minerals derived from the country rock (quartz, feldspar, mica, $l4{\AA}$ mineral, kaolin and amphibole) and minerals from the gypsum open-air storage yard (gypsum and apatite). Soil samples showed average content of U 4.6 ppm and Th 10 ppm, which are similar to average crustal abundances. They also show average contents of $^{40}K$ 191-1,166 Bq/kg, $^{226}Ra$ 15.6-710 Bq/kg, and $^{232}Th$ 17.4-72.7 Bq/kg, which indicate moderate levels of radio nuclide. But $^{226}Ra$ anomaly in the gypsum open storage yard is clearly confirmed and $^{232}Th$ anomaly is also confirmed in the east road side of the factory and nearby mountain areas. Soil external hazard indices ranged 0.24-2.01 with the average 0.54. Although most external hazard indices were lower than 1, which means radiation hazard index to be negligible, 5 samples out of total 40 samples showed higher values than 1, and further detailed investigation is needed.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2012

Physical, chemical and biological hazards of strawberry farms at the cultivation stage were analyzed to establish the GAP(Good Agricultural Practice) system. Samples were collected from the plants, cultivation environments(water, soil and air), and personal hygiene (hand, glove, and clothes) of three strawberry farms(A, B, and C) and were tested to analyze physical, chemical (heavy metals and pesticide residues), and biological(sanitary indications and foodborne pathogens) hazards. Physical hazards such as insects and pieces of metal and glass were found in the strawberry farms and can be potential bow for strawberry products. Heavy metal and pesticide residue as chemical hazards were detected at levels lower than the regulation limit. In case of biological hazards, total bacteria and coliform were detected at the levels of 1.6~7.3 and 1.3~5.6 log CFU/g, leaf, mL, hand or $100cm^2$. However, Escherichia coli was not detected in all samples. Bacillus cereus and Staphylococuus aureus were detected at levels of ${\leq}$ 1.1~6.1 log CFU and 4.7~5.4 log CFU/g, mL, hand or $100cm^2$, whereas Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157 and Salmonella spp. were not detected in all samples. This study demonstrates that various harzards were in strawberry farms at the growing stage. Therefore proper management such as GAP is needed to prevent the occurrence of food poisoning associated with the hazards revealed in this study.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2007

Objectives : Chronic infections with hepatitis B or C and alcoholic cirrhosis are three well-known major risk factors for liver cancer. Diabetes has also been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, the findings of previous studies have been controversial in terms of the causal association. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum glucose levels and liver cancer development in a Korean cohort. Methods : Thirty-six liver cancer cases were identified in the Korean Multi-Center Cancer Cohort (KMCC). Baseline information on lifestyle characteristics was obtained via questionnaire. Serum glucose levels were measured at the study's enrollment. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The adjusting variables included age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity. Results : The RRs of serum glucose for liver caner were 1.20 (95% CI = 0.48-2.99) for the category of 100 to 125 mg/dL of serum glucose and 2.77 (95% CI = 1.24-6.18) for the >126 mg/dL serum glucose category (both compared to the <100 mg/dL category). In a subgroup analysis, the RR of serum glucose among those who were both HBsAg seronegative and non-drinkers was 4.46 (95% CI = 1.09-18.28) for those with glucose levels >100 mg/dL. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that a high level of serum glucose can increase liver cancer risk independently of hepatitis infection and drinking history in Koreans. This study implies that glucose intolerance may be an independent risk factor for liver cancer.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.37
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• pp.51-82
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• 2013

Traffic safety has been dramatically enhanced thanks to recent improvements in traffic environment. Nonetheless, many traffic accidents occur due to unchanging driving practices. Therefore, this study addresses the issues of traffic fine and penalty fine policies, and seek appropriate levels of traffic fines through a public attitude survey. For this purpose, a survey was conducted on 905 adult drivers over 20 years of age from 15 provinces and metropolitan cities. Analysis results are as follows. First, traffic environment in South Korea is generally not safe. Respondents perceive violation of traffic laws such as reckless driving, speeding and drunk and driving as an important cause. Second, 61.6% of respondents experienced over one speeding annually, but only 15.2% of respondents were caught in the last three years. Third, opposition to levels of traffic fines has decreased over the past, and responses were more positive when more information was provided. Fourth, to deter moral hazard of paying traffic fines to avoid traffic penalty points, traffic fines should be at least 50,000~70,000 won higher than penalty fines. Fifth, there was less opposition to implementation of accumulated penalty policy compared to income-based differential fine levels. Sixth, traffic fines for different types of traffic violations need to be reorganized. In conclusion, this study suggests the following policy improvements for the current traffic fine and penalty fine policies for violation of traffic laws. First, enough understanding and consensus must be developed for policy improvements. Second, administrative sanctions such as giving penalty points should be considered rather than financial sanctions. Third, there should be policy improvement for accumulative penalty. Current acts of traffic law violation should be reorganized.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.213-225
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• 2021

Objectives: This study identifies the trends in possible and probable occupational disease among chromium workers and reviews the literature on domestic and foreign chromium workers to review the industries, biological exposure levels, and major results. Methods: The results of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's special health-screening program for hazard agents among workers from 2009 to 2019 were used. Also, the industries, biological exposure levels, and major results on chromium workers were reviewed using PubMed and RISS. Results: The average annual proportion of both possible and probable occupational disease for chromium workers has recently increased. The average annual proportion of possible and probable occupational disease that can occur was high for both men and women in their 60s or older by age and 10 to 14 years by work duration. By industry, possible occupational disease showed high in manufacturing. In the literature review, many electroplating-related chromium-workers reported high levels of exposure to blood and urine chromium, as did dental technicians; tannery, tile factory or glass mill workers; cement workers; and sodium bichromate workers. Furthermore, a number of main findings in recent studies have reported that chromium exposure is related to genetic toxicity among workers. Conclusions: In this study, the average annual rate of both possible and probable occupational disease in domestic chromium workers is increasing, and a body of literature shows that chromium exposure is related to genetic toxicity and associated indicators among workers, which requires more systematic study.