• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.371-378
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• 2017

In this study, hygroelastic behavior of thermosetting epoxy is predicted by molecular dynamics simulations. Since consistent exposures to humid environments lead to macroscopic degradation of polymer composite, computational simulation study of the hygroscopically aged epoxy cell is essential for long-time durability. Therefore, we modeled amorphous epoxy molecular unit cell structures at a crosslinking ratio of 30, 90% and with the moisture weight fraction of 0, 4 wt% respectively. Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (EPON862) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) are chosen as resin and curing agent respectively. Incorporating equilibrium and non-equilibrium ensemble simulation with a classical interatomic potential, various hygroelastic properties including diffusion coefficient of water, coefficient of moisture expansion (CME), stress-strain curve and elastic modulus are predicted. To establish the structural property relationship of pure epoxy, free volume and internal non-bond potential energy of epoxy are examined.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2015

Various pretreatment methods were evaluated to prevent tissue softening of heated onion. Changes in onion tissue firmness during heating were explained by 3-mechanism model consisting of texture hardening at low temperature ($60-80^{\circ}C$) and substrate softening at high temperature. Preheating of onion in a $Ca^{2+}$-containing solution significantly improved its texture after high-temperature heating. The improvement of firmness by preheating at low temperature was related to the formation of strong cross-linking between carboxyl groups and $Ca^{2+}$ by the action of pectin methylesterase in onion. The highest firmness was obtained by pre-heating at $70^{\circ}C$ for 120 min in 0.5% calcium solution. This result was supported by chemical analysis showing that the amount of bound calcium was the highest at $70^{\circ}C$. Further investigation should be carried out to establish the optimal conditions to prevent the softening of various vegetables.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.58-65
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• 2019

Polymer concrete is expected to be widely used as a building material because it has a shorter hardening time and excellent compression, tensile, bending, bond strength, frictional resistance and abrasion loss compared to general concrete. The polymer concrete has excellent vibration damping performance and research on the use of various reinforcing materials is being conducted. However, in order to completely replace the general concrete and the general anti-vibration reinforcement, such polymer concrete requires an overall review of vibration reduction performance considering physical properties, dynamic properties, productivity and field applicability. In this study, the physical and dynamic properties of polymer concrete by epoxy mixing ratio were compared with those of general concrete. It was appeared that compression, tensile, bending and bond strengths of polymer concrete by epoxy mixing were significantly higher than those of general concrete. Especially, the tensile strength was more than 4 ~ 6.5 times. Based on the basic physical properties of polymer concrete, the damping ratio, which is a dynamic characteristic according to the epoxy mixing ratio, was derived through analytical models and experiments. As a result, the dynamic stiffness of polymer concrete was 20% higher than that of general concrete and the loss rate was about 3 times higher.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2008

Underwater seismic refraction with advanced interpretation approaches makes important contributions to shallow marine exploration and geotechnical investigations in Australia's coastal areas. A series of case studies are presented to demonstrate the recent applications of continuous and static USR methods to river crossing and port infrastructure projects at various sites around Australia. In Sydney, static underwater seismic refraction (USR) with bottom-placed receivers and borehole seismic imaging assisted the development of improved geotechnical models that reduced construction risk for a tunnel crossing of the Lane Cove River. In Melbourne, combining conventional boomer reflection and continuous USR with near-bottom sources and receivers improved the definition of a buried, variably weathered basalt flow and assisted dredging assessment for navigation channel upgrades at Geelong Ports. Sand quality assessment with continuous USR and widely spaced borehole information assisted commercial decisions on available sand resources for the reclamation phase of development at the Port of Brisbane. Buried reefs and indurated layers occur in Australian coastal sediments with the characteristics of laterally limited, high velocity, cap layers within lower velocity materials. If these features are not recognised then significant error in depth determination to deeper refractors can occur. Application of advanced refraction inversion using wavefront eikonal tomography to continuous USR data obtained along the route of a proposed offshore pipeline near Fremantle allowed these layers and the underlying bedrock refractor to be accurately imaged. Static USR and the same interpretation approach was used to image the drowned granitic regolith beneath sediments and indurated layers in the northern area of Western Australia at a proposed new berthing site where deep piling was required. This allowed preferred piling sites to be identified, reducing overall pile lengths. USR can be expected to find increased application to shallow marine exploration and geotechnical investigations in Australia's coastal areas as economic growth continues and improved interpretation methods are developed.