• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.787-792
• /
• 2022

In winter, the excessive use of deicing salt deteriorates concrete pavement durability. To reduce the amount of deicing salt used, phase-change materials (PCMs) potentially offer an alternative way to melt snow through their latent heat storage characteristics. In this research, thermal energy storage concrete was developed by using PCM-impregnated expanded clay as 50 % replacement to normal aggregate by volume. In addition, to improve the thermal efficiency of PCM lightweight aggregate (PCM-LWA)-incorporated concrete, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated in proportions of 0.10 %, 0.15 %, and 0.20 % by binder weight. Compressive strength testing and programmed thermal cycling were performed to evaluate the mechanical and thermal responses of the PCM-LWA concrete. Results showed a significant strength reduction of 54 % due to the PCM-LWA; however, the thermal performance of the PCM-LWA concrete was greatly improved with the addition of MWCNTs. Thermal test results showed that 0.10 % MWCNT-incorporated concrete had high thermal fatigue resistance as well as uniform heat flow, whereas specimens with 0.15 % and 0.20 % MWCNT content had a reduced thermal response due to supercooling when the ambient temperature was varied between -5℃ and 10℃.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.169-181
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This paper addresses a case study of developing a flame retardant wood-plastic composites (WPC) by adding tannic acid to the existing synthetic wood. The optimal mixing ratios of six components are explored to minimize the burning time using two mixture designs. Methods: In the preliminary experiment, six components are considered to find important components and their ranges. Seven D-optimal mixture design points are generated. Two points are removed for the balance of plastic components to be maintained, and the remaining five points are augmented with two basic compositions. Four components are selected to be considered in the main experiment. In the main experiment, pellets are extruded at the eight mixture design points. In-house testing of burning time is executed three times. Specimens made of pellets from two promising flame retardant compositions are sent to the accredited laboratories and tested. Results: The test results are as follows: 1) The best composition (Wood flour, Tannic acid, PE, Lubricant) = (25, 41, 10, 2) (wt%) shows the burning time of 1 second, which is 9-fold improvement compared to the the burning time of 9 seconds from the existing composition (58, 0, 10, 2) (wt%). 2) The second best composition (41, 25, 10, 2) (wt%) results in the burning time of 2 seconds. This composition is inferior to the best composition in terms of the flame retardancy, but more economical since it needs less tannic acid which is 100-fold expensive than the wood flour. Conclusion: Flame retardant compositions are found by adding tannic acid to the existing WPC employing optimal mixture designs. This case study will be helpful to practitioners who try to develop new products with additional physical properties with as small number of experimental trials as possible. Future research direction includes exploring conditions which satisfy both performance level and cost limitation simultaneously.

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

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.611-626
• /
• 2023

Overseas examples of the characterization stage of site selection proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency were reviewed to highlight the factors necessary for consideration in the deep disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Studies in Sweden, Finland, the USA, and Canada were considered. Site investigations in Sweden and Finland commonly covered the fields of geology, hydrogeology, and hydrogeochemistry using similar field investigation techniques. The USA considered survey groups and factors under pre- and post-lockdown guidelines, as well as those for desaturated and saturated surveys. involving geophysical, hydrological, hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, mechanical/physical, and thermal-characterization investigations. Canada provided a list of investigative methods for both preliminary and detailed site assessments including geological, physical, boring, hydrological, laboratory testing, and chemical analysis studies. Results of this study should elucidate site-selection investigation factors and survey methods applicable to Korea.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.303-309
• /
• 2023

In this paper, a Progressive Damage and Failure Analysis (PDFA) modeling method was developed using ABAQUS/EXPLICIT to predict in-plane damage and delamination for Open-Hole Compression (OHC) testing. The proposed PDFA model was constructed based on Hashin criteria and cohesive behavior. The strength and stiffness of OHC specimens with three types of stacking sequences [(45/-45/0₂)₃]_s , [(45/0/-45/90)₃]_s and [45/-45/0/45/-45/90/(45/-45)₂]_s were compared to comprehensively evaluate the validity of the Finite Element(FE) model of PDFA. The strength and stiffness of the OHC specimens were predicted relatively well, with less than a percentage error 10.0 %. For the numerical simulation case for each layup, the damage initiation/evolution of OHC specimens were evaluated for delamination and tension/compression matrix damage before and after failure.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.121-133
• /
• 2023

The demand for cement and limestone crushed materials has increased many folds due to the tremendous increase in construction activities in Pakistan during the past few decades. The number of cement production industries has increased correspondingly, and so the rock-blasting operations at the limestone quarry sites. However, the safety procedures warranted at these sites for the blast-induced ground vibrations (BIGV) have not been adequately developed and/or implemented. Proper prediction and monitoring of BIGV are necessary to ensure the safety of structures in the vicinity of these quarry sites. In this paper, an attempt has been made to predict BIGV using artificial neural network (ANN) at three selected limestone quarries of Pakistan. The ANN has been developed in Python using Keras with sequential model and dense layers. The hyper parameters and neurons in each of the activation layers has been optimized using randomized and grid search method. The input parameters for the model include distance, a maximum charge per delay (MCPD), depth of hole, burden, spacing, and number of blast holes, whereas, peak particle velocity (PPV) is taken as the only output parameter. A total of 110 blast vibrations datasets were recorded from three different limestone quarries. The dataset has been divided into 85% for neural network training, and 15% for testing of the network. A five-layer ANN is trained with Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation function, Adam optimization algorithm with a learning rate of 0.001, and batch size of 32 with the topology of 6-32-32-256-1. The blast datasets were utilized to compare the performance of ANN, multivariate regression analysis (MVRA), and empirical predictors. The performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean squared error (RMSE)for predicted and measured PPV. To determine the relative influence of each parameter on the PPV, sensitivity analyses were performed for all input parameters. The analyses reveal that ANN performs superior than MVRA and other empirical predictors, andthat83% PPV is affected by distance and MCPD while hole depth, number of blast holes, burden and spacing contribute for the remaining 17%. This research provides valuable insights into improving safety measures and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings near limestone quarry sites.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.238-245
• /
• 2024

In this study, as part of the development of a monitoring system for the efficient maintenance of steel pipes, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the performance of steel pipes treated with modified polyethylene coating. In the case of the conventional mechanical pre-coating method, there was a deterioration in polyethylene adhesion during expansion testing, which led to the application of a chemical pre-treatment process using a calcium-mixed phosphate zinc film to resolve this issue. SEM and EDX analyses showed that the densest structure was observed at a Zn/Ca ratio of 1.0, and improved heat resistance compared to the conventional method was confirmed. Additionally, to prevent coating detachment during expansion, an evaluation of adhesion and elongation was conducted on steel pipes with modified polyethylene coating, incorporating materials such as elastomers based on maleic anhydride grafting, metal oxides, blocking agents, and slip agents. Experimental results showed that the specimen (S4) containing all modified materials exhibited more than a 25% performance improvement compared to the specimen (S2) containing only metal oxides. Lastly, the development and performance evaluation of wedge-shaped socketing and pressing wheels, which are part of the pipe fixing accessories, were conducted to prevent surface coating damage on the completed pipes.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare nanoleakage patterns of a conventional 3-step etch and rinse adhesive system and two experimental hydrophobic adhesive systems and (2) to investigate the change of the nanoleakage patterns after load cycling. Two kinds of hydrophobic experimental adhesives, ethanol containing adhesive (EA) and methanol containing adhesive (MA), were prepared. Thirty extracted human molars were embedded in resin blocks and occlusal thirds of the crowns were removed. The polished dentin surfaces were etched with a 35 % phosphoric acid etching gel and rinsed with water. Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (MP), EA and MA were used for bonding procedure. Z-250 composite resin was built-up on the adhesive-treated surfaces. Five teeth of each dentin adhesive group were subjected to mechanical load cycling. The teeth were sectioned into 2 mm thick slabs and then stained with 50 % ammoniacal silver nitrate. Ten specimens for each group were examined under scanning electron microscope in backscattering electron mode. All photographs were analyzed using image analysis software. Three regions of each specimen were used for evaluation of the silver uptake within the hybrid layer. The area of silver deposition was calculated and expressed in gray value. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and post-hoc testing of multiple comparisons was done with the Scheffe's test. Silver particles were observed in all the groups. However, silver particles were more sparsely distributed in the EA group and the MA group than in the MP group (p < .0001). There were no changes in nanoleakage patterns after load cycling.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.31 no.1 s.57
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 1995

The slow development of histopathological changes and long period required for stabilization of lesions have suggested that secondary injury processes exacerbate the effect of initial mechanical insult after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The importance of glutamate receptors in the normal functions of spinal cord, in concert with the large body of evidence that points to their involvement in neurotoxicity due to both ischemic and traumatic insults to the CNS, suggested a probable role of glutamate receptors in secondary injury process after traumatic SCI. In order to investigate the involvement of excitatory amino acid in the secondary injury process after SCI, this study examined the effect of dextrorphan, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on the recovery of hindlimb function and the residual tissue at injury site following SCI. Locomotor function was assessed using open field test (21 point scale). At 8 weeks spinal cord tissue was examined using quantitative histopathologic technique. Prior to surgery female Long-Evans rats were adapted to the test environment. Rats received laminectomies (T9/T10), and spinal cord contusions (NYU impactor) were produced by a 10 gm weight dropped 25 mm. DXT (15 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline was injected 15 min before contusion. Behavioral testing resumed 2 days post-injury and continued twice a week for 8 weeks. No differences between DXT and saline groups were found for hindlimb function and sparing tissue at the lesion site. These results suggest that NMDA receptor might not be involved in secondary injury processes after traumatic SCI.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2009

Recently, the mathematical analysis of stent simulation has been improved, with the help of development of various tool which measure mechanical property and location of stent in artery. The most crucial part of the stent modeling is how to design ideal stent and to evaluate the interaction between stent and artery. While there has been great deal of researches on the evaluation of the expansion, stress distribution, deformation of the stent in terms of the various parameters, few verification through computer simulation has been performed about deformation and stress distribution of the stent. In this study, we have produced the corresponding results between experimental test using Universal Testing Machine and computer simulation for the ideal model of stent. Also, we have analyzed and compared stress distribution of stent in the cases of that with membrane and that without membrane. The results of this study would provide minimum change of plan and good quality for ideal stent replacing damaged artery through the analysis using computer simulation in the early stage of stent design.