• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.549-562
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• 2017

The US railroad network carries 40% of the nation's total freight. Railroad bridges are the most critical part of the network infrastructure and, therefore, must be properly maintained for the operational safety. Railroad managers inspect bridges by measuring displacements under train crossing events to assess their structural condition and prioritize bridge management and safety decisions accordingly. The displacement of a railroad bridge under train crossings is one parameter of interest to railroad bridge owners, as it quantifies a bridge's ability to perform safely and addresses its serviceability. Railroad bridges with poor track conditions will have amplified displacements under heavy loads due to impacts between the wheels and rail joints. Under these circumstances, vehicle-track-bridge interactions could cause excessive bridge displacements, and hence, unsafe train crossings. If displacements during train crossings could be measured objectively, owners could repair or replace less safe bridges first. However, data on bridge displacements is difficult to collect in the field as a fixed point of reference is required for measurement. Accelerations can be used to estimate dynamic displacements, but to date, the pseudo-static displacements cannot be measured using reference-free sensors. This study proposes a method to estimate total transverse displacements of a railroad bridge under live train loads using acceleration and tilt data at the top of the exterior pile bent of a standard timber trestle, where train derailment due to excessive lateral movement is the main concern. Researchers used real bridge transverse displacement data under train traffic from varying bridge serviceability levels. This study explores the design of a new bridge deck-pier experimental model that simulates the vibrations of railroad bridges under traffic using a shake table for the input of train crossing data collected from the field into a laboratory model of a standard timber railroad pile bent. Reference-free sensors measured both the inclination angle and accelerations of the pile cap. Various readings are used to estimate the total displacements of the bridge using data filtering. The estimated displacements are then compared to the true responses of the model measured with displacement sensors. An average peak error of 10% and a root mean square error average of 5% resulted, concluding that this method can cost-effectively measure the total displacement of railroad bridges without a fixed reference.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 2008

In private and public construction works, cost estimation and site productivity management are based on designed labor quantities calculated by the Standard Quantities per Unit (SQU). The designed labor quantities are regarded as the basis for insurance costs and safety and environmental costs and also affect the progress measurement of construction works. Even though the designed labor quantities from the SQU has been considered to be different from actual labor quantities put to construction works, there is no research that empirically analyzes the statistical differences. This study analyzes actual labor quantities of form workers, steel-bar fabricators, concrete pourers in reinforced concrete works of the 43 apartment projects, and compares the actual labor quantities to labor quantities from the SQU. It goes further to scrutinize the critical reasons underlying the differences through a survey on 65 practitioners and interviews with 32 site managers and supervisors. The regression models of labor quantities of the apartment concrete work produced by the present study will contribute to reasonable construction contracts based on the past actual costs and practical site management by the actual labor quantities.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.702-708
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• 2018

3D printing technology is attracting increasing attention as a key technology of the fourth industrial revolution that can change the production paradigm of existing industries. The introduction of construction 3D printing technology has been slower than other industries because of the characteristics of the construction field. On the other hand construction automation using 3D printing is required to reduce the production population, as well as improve productivity and safety. In this study, a construction 3D printing work breakdown structure and link method to a standard estimation system were developed as a preliminary preparation for introducing 3D printing to construction. Based on expert consultation on construction and 3D printing, a hypothetical scenario was developed based on existing construction 3D printing technology. According to the scenario, 16 kinds of works required for 3D printing construction work were derived. The existing work breakdown structure and standard estimation system were analyzed, and the 3D printing work was linked. 3D printing works that were the same as the existing breakdown structure were found, and non-existent works were added to the similar breakdown structure. These results are expected to be helpful for future 3D printing construction management and cost estimation. The actual standard estimation system through 3D printing work will need to be calculated.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.2
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• pp.217-229
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• 2023

Forest projects often apply construction industry labor rates, without considering the demanding work conditions and labor intensity unique to forest operations, resulting in workplace issues. This study aims to analyze forest operations' characteristics and wage survey methods in other fields to establish a framework for surveying the wages of forest workers. The developed framework was tested through direct surveys conducted with all forest operation companies. Survey items included actual wages by occupation, identification and removal of outliers using quartile deviation, and occupation-based wage calculation. Results revealed that the appropriate wages for 2022 were as follows: KRW 163,376 for general workers, KRW 221,407 for special workers, KRW 250,045 for work leaders, and KRW 239,863 for wood cutters. These figures were 16.27% higher than those derived from the standard construction wage survey. The developed framework was validated by comparing the appropriate wages with both the standard construction wage survey and the forestry workers' wage. The results indicated that the wages calculated using the developed framework were 4.5% more similar to the forestry workers' wage compared with those from the standard construction wage survey. Consequently, the standard construction wage survey was deemed unsuitable for forest projects. To ensure efficient forest operations, it is imperative to conduct wage surveys using the developed framework over multiple years to accumulate sufficient data.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.744-753
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• 2021

This study suggests ways to improve the standard test method and judgment criterion for the "Eco-toxicity Test" based on the rules and regulations provided in 'performance and qualifying test standards for marine pollution prevention materials and chemicals' in the Republic of Korea. Compared with the relevant references of other countries, this study attempted to find the limitations in the existing standards. As for the growth inhibition test of algae using Skeletonema costatum as an indicator, applying comparative analysis to measure specific growth rates, together with statistical analysis, instead of applying current methods, judged by the appearance of colors from the culture medium was suggested. Considering the exponential growth phase of the test species, the test duration was suggested to be reduced to less than four days. For the test with fish as an indicator, resetting the appropriate body size was suggested to, show consistent sensitivity against chenicals applied during testing. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the criteria needs, which should be established in reasonable and objective ways. For the testing species, marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis could be a replacement for Artemia sp., and a bivalve for fish in the test. To improve the performance effectiveness of the "Eco-toxicity test", it is worth considering the designation of accredited testing institutes, by placing it in the same loop. Thus it is also expected to have a reliable management system in place, having the capacity of cost calculation properly and adjusting testing items if required.

• Journal of The Korean Society For Urban Railway
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.299-307
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• 2018

Automatic announcement systems and emergency lights are necessary to prevent urban railway vehicles from accident, according to the emergency response guideline of domestic railroad. When emergency situation occurs, safety regulations and standards for urban railway vehicles specify that the emergency lights must be turn-on over 30 minutes as well as that the announcement should be provided by an attendant. However, as the current emergency systems use different units without a standard and system maintenance and management is not well performed, it is difficult to know the operation status. In this paper, modularized structures are given to standardize the emergency systems. The modularized structures analyzed from emergency scenarios of railway can substitute the existing broadcasting and lighting system. As a result, the optimized modular system considering cost and maintenance can be proposed by comparing all modularizations.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.6D
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• pp.755-764
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• 2011

At the present, planning and installation of parking space sections and lane width are implemented in accordance with the installation standard and parking lot structure by the enforcement regulations of the Parking Act. While large and RV (Recreational Vehicle) vehicles have increased in number recently, parking is complex with improper installation standards. It causes serious problems, including vehicle vandalism, increased civil complaints, travel inconveniences for parking lot users, management and maintenance issues for parking lots, and so forth. The study, therefore, determined that the practical and appropriate realignment of parking unit adjustment and lane width regulations are essential. The study conducted prior review on domestic parking sections and change cases of composition by vehicle types, including the component ratio of domestic and foreign vehicles, width of vehicle by types in order to examine the parking problems that account for a increasing social issues, and provided parking plan methods by types of vehicle, as well as reform and reaction plans for parking unit adjustment and lane width considering security and smooth traffic flow. After comparing and analyzing between estimated installation of parking space and lane width and internal and external cases, the study suggests the improvement that considers expenses and convenience of a driver. Also, it shows installation of parking space that considers traffic safety, improvement of lane width, and parking way depends on vehicle types. By providing estimation for parking planning and parking planning methods that secure safe and smooth traffic flow within a parking lot, the study will contribute to the development of improved alternatives for cost-effective traffic safety and set-up structure, including installation standards of parking lots.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.427-434
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• 2019

The Medical Residents Act was enacted in December 2016 to protect the rights of residents, and to ensuring the safety of patients, and nurturing good medical human resources. This study analyzed the changes of training conditions according to the enforcement of The Medical Residents Act by comparing the results of two surveys conducted in 2015(1,793 Residents) and 2017(1,768 Residents). As a result, Residents worked over 80 hours per week on average('15=92.4h, '17=87.3h) and they worked twice as many times as 36 hours('15=89.4h, '17=70.1h). Female residents' leave before and after childbirth('15=78.5day, '17=82.2day), Preparation of Standard training contract('15=19.3%, '17=40.8%), Delivery of training contract('15=12.4%, '17=36.1%) did not comply with the regulations. The training conditions of the residents is directly related to the safety of patients and the public's health. National support is needed for the support of substitute workforces, fair training evaluation conditions and incentives based on the evaluation results, labor costs for residents and supervising medical specialists, and the cost of making training programs.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.114-120
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• 2003

In order to provide fundamental data for development of controlled environment facilities in Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) cultivation, field survey and analysis of structural and environmental engineering characteristics on the shading structures in ginseng fields (the ginseng houses) were carried out. In this study shading structures for ginseng cultivation were classified according to their structural materials, connection types, and detailed structures. That is they were classified into wood or steel frames, single or multi spans, and frame or cable types. As a result of the investigation, standardization of structural materials, fabrication and construction methods arc required. And it was considered that a reinforced design and a countermeasure for heavy snow are the most important matters for structural improvement. In parts of the environmental management, researches for setting up the irrigation standard are required in the first place. And it was investigated that an installation of the shading structures is a work being the most hard, taking a lot of time, and having need for automation. So controlled environment ginseng houses, with a low cost, a structural safety and a satisfactory workability, should be developed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.135-142
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• 2017

This study employs an analytical mathematical model to estimate the optimal debt ratio of Korean agricultural corporations, more sensitive to the government debt ratio policy compared to other industries, and the estimation of the optimal debt ratio based on objective data. The analytical model utilizes the equation for ROE, with the debt ratio as an independent variable, and related parameters include ROS, TAT, and NFCL. Regarding the NFCL, the optimal debt ratio standard is defined as the debt ratio that maximizes the ROE by analytical procedures such as adding an equation concerning the debt ratio and a linearity relationship to the analytical model, and from these equations, a quadratic equation with the debt ratio as an independent variable describes the ROE. This methodemploys fourteen years of corporate data. Results show that 138% of debt ratio is the optimal debt ratio to increase the ROE of the corporations, which implies that the existing debt ratio of Korean agricultural corporations is higher than optimal. Consequently, it is required for authorities to change future debt ratio policies in view that the purpose of debt ratio management is to maintain safety and increase profitability.Management should emphasize characteristics of the specific industry rather than standardized judgements based on numerical indexes.