• Clean Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2013

BBiodegradable polymers have attracted great attention because of the increased environmental pollution by waste plastics. In this study, PLA (polylactic acid)/Clay-20 (Cloisite 20) and PLA (polylactic acid)/PBS (poly(butylene succinate)/Clay-20 (Cloisite 20) nanocomposites were manufactured in a twin-screw extruder. Specimens for mechanical properties of PLA/Clay-20 and PLA/PBS (90/10)/Clay-20 nanocomposites were prepared by injection molding. Thermal, mechanical, morphological and raman spectral properties of two nanocomposites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tester, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and raman-microscope spectrophotometer, respectively. In addition, hydrolytic degradation properties of two nanocomposites were investigated by hydrolytic degradation test. It was confirmed that the crystallinity of PLA/Clay-20 and PLA/PBS/Clay-20 nanocomposite was increased with increasing Clay-20 content and the Clay-20 is miscible with PLA and PLA/PBS resin from DSC and SEM results. Tensile strength of two nanocomposites was decreased, but thier elongation, impact strength, tensile modulus and flexural modulus were increased with an increase of Clay-20 content. The impact strength of PLA/Clay-20 and PLA/PBS/Clay-20 nanocomposites with 5 wt% of Clay-20 content was increased above twice than that of pure PLA and PLA/PBS (90/10). The hydrolytic degradation rate of PLA/Clay-20 nanocomposite with 3 wt% of Clay-20 content was accelerated about twice than that of pure PLA. The reason is that degradation may occur in the PLA and Clay-20 interface easily because of hydrophilic property of organic Clay-20. It was confirmed that a proper amount of Clay-20 can improve the mechanical properties of PLA and can control biodegradable property of PLA.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.6 s.177
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• pp.1398-1407
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• 2000

The structural steels of power plant show the decrease of mechanical properties due to degradation such as temper embrittlement, creep damage and softening during long-term operation at high temper ature. The typical causes of material degradation damage are the creation and coarsening of carbides(M23C6, M6C) and the segregation of impurities(P, Sb and Sn) to grain boundary. It is also well known that material degradation induces the cleavage fracture and increases the ductile-brittle transition temperature of steels. So, it is very important to evaluate degradation damage to secure the reliable and efficient service condition and to prevent brittle failure in service. However, it would not be appropriate to sample a large test piece from in-service components. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a couple of new approaches to the non-destructive estimation technique which may be applicable to assessing the material degradation of the components with not to influence their essential strength. The purpose of this study is to propose and establish a new electrochemical technique for non-destructive evaluation of material degradation damage for Cr-Mo steels which is widely used in the high temperature structural components. And the electrochemical anodic polarization test results are compared with those of semi-nondestructive SP test.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.520-524
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• 2009

The effects of oxidative degradation on the performance of crosslinked polyethylene pipes were analyzed by the investigation of tensile properties and chemical structure change of the pipes during oxidative degradation. Annealing at high temperatures or UV irradiation method was used to induce the oxidative degradation of the crosslinked polyethylene pipes and the effects of the die temperature on the oxidative degradation of the pipes were also investigated. The tensile properties and chemical structure change of the pipes were investigated by universal testing machine and FT-IR, respectively. With the progress of thermo-oxidative degradation the tensile strength of the pipes slowly decreased but the elongation at break rapidly decreased, and the chemical structure of the pipes also changed considerably because of the introduced oxygen molecules. These results would be useful in estimating the performance deterioration of the crosslinked polyethylene pipes due to the oxidative degradation during production and storage.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.647-656
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• 2011

In radioactive waste repositories constructed in underground, concrete member could be in contact with groundwater for a long time. However, this pure water creates concentration gradients which lead to the diffusion of Ca ions from the pore water and the degradation of underground concrete. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the alteration of pore structure and loss of compressive strength associated with dissolution. The results showed that as the leaching period became longer, the pore volume within 50 nm to 500 nm in diameter is greatly increased. Also, the volume of pores larger than 200 nm rapidly increased during initial leaching time and those below 200 nm gradually increased. Furthermore, the compressive strength gradually decreased with increase of degraded thickness. The residual strength of the degraded concrete with OPC was in the range of 33% to 58%.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.90-97
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• 1997

Field inspections and laboratory tests for 31 agricultural reservoirs in Kyungki province were performed to provide basic data for maintenance and rehabilitation of agricultural reservoirs and to evaluate structural degradation of agricultural reservoirs Results of the study are as follows : 1) From survey's results of embankments, signs of settlement and lateral movement are appeared in 17 reservoirs. Crest settlement of 20~80cm, downstream settlement of 10~90cm, and 20~160cm lateral movement of embankments are detected from settlement and movement analysis of 17 reservoirs. Crest and downstream settlements and lateral movement are greatly occurred in 20 ~ 40 years after embankment construction. 2) About 39% of total reservoirs shows seepage problems occurred in the lower part of berm and retaining wall located between embankment and spillway. Probability of seepage problems is higher at retaining wall than others. 3) Concrete strength estimated by Schmidt hammer in structures of reservoirs is a range of 100~l50kgf/$cm^2$ and average deviation of concrete strength is about l0kgf/$cm^2$. Strength difference$({\delta}S)$ between compressive strength estimated by Schmidt hammer and uniaxial compressive strength of concrete core is about $\pm$100kgf/$cm^2$. This difference is due to absence or presence of reinforced bar in concrete core, variable length of concrete core and limitation of Schmidt hammer. 4) About 68% of total reservoirs shows leaching, 58% alkali-aggregate reaction and 71 % abrasion/frost. Leaching, alkali-aggregate reaction and abrasion/frost occurred in most reservoirs when passed 10 years after construction of structure parts.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.460-470
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• 2011

Wave velocity was measured to define the weathering characteristics of rock and the strength evaluation of weathered rock on a target of the Aso gravestones with various sizes under the natural environment. As a result, the size correction method which was changed sample of the different size to one of the same size for evaluating wave velocity was proposed, and also suggested the NET (Normalized Elapsed Time) as a new weathering index of rock. In addition, the strength of the weathered rock was estimated from the weathering classification of rock using the NET. Wave velocity of welded tuff was high and didn't show velocity degradation, on the other hand, one of andesite was low and showed velocity degradation. The degree of weathering between rocks of the different size is considered to be comparable, applying the NET based on the on the $V_p/V_o$-NET curve. Furthermore, the classification of rock weathering stages using the NET based on the $S_c/S_o$-NET curve was available, and the estimation of strength for the weathered rock was also possible.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2022

This study proposes the deconvolution method for the nanoindentation test results of geopolymer employing the Gaussian mixture model. Geopolymer has been studied extensively as an alternative construction material because it emits relatively lower CO₂ compared to ordinary Portland cement. Geopolymer is made of aluminosilicate and alkaline solution, and the Si/Al molar ratio affects its mechanical properties. Previous studies revealed that the Si/Al molar ratio of 1.8~2.0 results in the highest compressive strength, and the Si/Al molar ratio over 1.8 degrades the compressive strength of geopolymer severely; however the reason for the compressive strength degradation is still unclear. To understand the effect of the Si/Al molar ratio on the geopolymer structure, this study exploits the nanoindentation. The phase deconvolution of the indent modulus data is successful using the Gaussian mixture model, and it is observed that the Si/Al molar ratio alters the homogeneity of the geopolymer. Geopolymer becomes more homogeneous up to an Si/Al molar ratio of 1.8 at which geopolymer exhibits the highest compressive strength. The examination of this study is assumed to be adopted as evidence of strength degradation by the Si/Al ratio higher than the optimum value.

• Composites Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Decrease of strength in composite material is generally caused by water absorption. It makes fracture of material, and loss of money or human lives. The objective of this study is to investigate the causes of decrease in strength by water absorption. Mechanism of water absorption was supposed as three steps. This mechanism is consisted of absorption into resin, absorption between resin and surface treatment agent, and delamination between fiber and resin. Conditions of test were supplied differently; kinds of fiber and resin, immersion time etc. Both of reversible reaction and irreversible reaction occurred simultaneously. Most of decrease in strength was finished at 2.5% water absorption, and the strength was recovered. At 4% water absorption, most of decrease was caused by irreversible reaction, therefore, there was a tendency not to be recovered in strength.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2022

The application of infrared heating in the hot press forming of the thermoplastic composites is conducive to productivity with high-speed heating. However, high energy, high forming temperature, and high-speed heating derived from infrared heating can cause material degradation and deteriorate properties such as re-melting performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to optimize the process conditions of the hot press forming suitable for carbon fiber reinforced polyetherketoneketone(CF/PEKK) composites that are actively researched and developed as high-performance aviation materials. Specifically, the degradation mechanisms and properties that may occur in infrared high-speed heating were evaluated through morphological and thermal characteristics analysis and mechanical performance tests. The degradation mechanism was analyzed through morphological investigation of the crystal structure of PEKK. As a result, the size of the spherulite decreased as the degradation progressed, and finally, the spherulite disappeared. In thermal characteristics, the melting temperature, crystallization temperature and heat of crystallization tend to decrease as degradation progresses, and the crystal structure disappeared under long-term exposure at 460℃. In addition, the low bonding strength was observed on the degraded surface, and the bonding surfaces of PEKK did not melt intermittently. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the CF/PEKK composite material degraded at 420℃ in the infrared high-speed heating. Furthermore, the spherulite experienced morphological changes and the re-melting properties of thermoplastic materials were degraded.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.57-66
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• 2000

The ductility is an important consideration in the design of reinforced concrete structures. In the seismic design of reinforced concrete columns, it is necessary to allow for relatively large ductilities that the seismic energy be absorbed without shear failure of significant strength degradation after the reinforcement yielding in columns. Therefore, prediction of the ductility should be as accurate as possible. This research investigate the ductile behavior of rectangular reinforced high-strength concrete columns like as bridge piers with confinement steel. The effects on the ductility of axial load, lateral reinforcement ratio, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, shear span ratio, and compressive strength of concrete were investigated analytically using layered section analysis. as the results, it was proposed the proper relationship between ductility and variables and formulated into equations.