• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.55-71
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• 2013

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital for detecting the onset of damage and for preventing catastrophic failure of civil infrastructure systems. In particular, piezoelectric transducers have the ability to excite and actively interrogate structures (e.g., using surface waves) while measuring their response for sensing and damage detection. In fact, piezoelectric transducers such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been used for various laboratory/field tests and possess significant advantages as compared to visual inspection and vibration-based methods, to name a few. However, PZTs are inherently brittle, and PVDF films do not possess high piezoelectricity, thereby limiting each of these devices to certain specific applications. The objective of this study is to design, characterize, and validate piezoelectric nanocomposites consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles assembled in a PVDF copolymer matrix for sensing and SHM applications. These films provide greater mechanical flexibility as compared to PZTs, yet possess enhanced piezoelectricity as compared to pristine PVDF copolymers. This study started with spin coating dispersed ZnO- and PVDF-TrFE-based solutions to fabricate the piezoelectric nanocomposites. The concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was varied from 0 to 20 wt.% (in 5 % increments) to determine their influence on bulk film piezoelectricity. Second, their electric polarization responses were obtained for quantifying thin film remnant polarization, which is directly correlated to piezoelectricity. Based on these results, the films were poled (at 50 $MV-m^{-1}$) to permanently align their electrical domains and to enhance their bulk film piezoelectricity. Then, a series of hammer impact tests were conducted, and the voltage generated by poled ZnO-based thin films was compared to commercially poled PVDF copolymer thin films. The hammer impact tests showed comparable results between the prototype and commercial samples, and increasing ZnO content provided enhanced piezoelectric performance. Lastly, the films were further validated for sensing using different energy levels of hammer impact, different distances between the impact locations and the film electrodes, and cantilever free vibration testing for dynamic strain sensing.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2014

As increasing number of large-size earthquake around Korean peninsula, many interests have been focused to the earthquake strengthening of existing structures. The brittle fracture of Non-seismic designed columns lead to full collapse of the building. In the past, cross-sectional extension method, a steel plate reinforcing method and fiver-reinforced method are applied to Seismic Rehabilitation Technique mainly. However, the reinforcement methods have drawbacks that induce physical damage to structures, large space, long duration time. So, in this study, performance evaluation of previously developed FRP seismic reinforcement which do not induce physical damage and short duration time was enforced. The specimens were constructed with 80% downscale. FRP seismic reinforcement are manufactured of glass fiber or aluminum plate with holes and glass fiber. From the experiment results, seismic performance of specimens which reinforced with FRP seismic reinforcement were increased.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the SDAR (solvent deasphaltene residue), which is obtained from the solvent deasphalting (SDA) process, as a pavement material. METHODS : The physical properties of the SDAR were evaluated based on its chemical composition, and asphalt mixtures with the SDAR were fabricated and used for the evaluation of mechanical properties. Firstly, the chemical composition of SARA (saturate, aromatic, resin and asphaltene) was analyzed using the TLC-FID (thin-layer chromatography-flame ionization detector). Moreover, the basic material properties of the asphalt binder with the SDAR were evaluated by the penetration test, softening point test, ductility test, and PG (performance grade) grade test. The rheological properties of the asphalt binder with the SDAR were evaluated by the dynamic shear modulus ($G^*$) obtained using the time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle. Secondly, the mechanical properties of the asphalt mixtures with the SDAR were evaluated. The compactibility was evaluated using the gyratory compacter. Moreover, the tensile strength ratio (TSR) was used for evaluating the moisture susceptibility of the asphalt mixtures (i.e., susceptibility to pothole damage). The dynamic modulus $E^*$, which is a fundamental property of the asphalt mixture, obtained at different temperatures and loading cycles, was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the asphalt mixtures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION : The SDAR shows stiffer and more brittle behavior than the conventional asphalt binder. As the application of the SDAR directly in the field may cause early failures, such as cracks on pavements, it should be applied with modifiers that can favorably modify the brittleness property of the SDAR. Therefore, if appropriate additives are applied on the SDAR, it can be used as a pavement material because of its low cost and strong resistance to rutting.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.329-348
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• 2013

This study aims at observing the coupling behaviours between suspended ceilings and partition walls in terms of their global seismic performance using full-scale shake table tests. The suspended ceilings with planar dimensions of $6.0m{\times}3.6m$ were tested with two types of panels: acoustic lay-in and metal clip-on panels. They were further categorized as seismic-braced, seismic-unbraced, and non-seismic installations. Also, two configurations of 2.7 m high partition wall specimens, with C-shape and I-shape in the plane layouts, were tested. In total, seven ceiling-partition-coupling (CPC) specimens were tested utilizing a unidirectional seismic simulator. The test results indicate that the damage patterns of the tested CPC systems included failure of the ceiling grids, shearing-off of the wall top railing, and, most destructively, numerous partial detachments and falling of the ceiling panels. The loss of panels was mostly concentrated near the center of the tested partition wall. The testing results also confirmed that the failure mode of the non-seismic CPC systems was brittle: The whole system would collapse suddenly all at once when the magnitude of the inputs hit the capacity threshold, rather than displaying progressive damage. Overall, the seismic capacity of the unbraced and braced CPC systems could be up to 1.23 g and 2.67 g, respectively; these accelerations were both achieved at the base of the partition wall. Nonetheless, for practical applications, it is noteworthy that the three-dimensional nature of seismic excitations and the size effect of the ceiling area are parameters that exacerbate the CPC's seismic response so that their actual capacity may be dramatically decreased, leading to important losses even in moderate seismic events.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.372-380
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• 2007

Surface damage due to subsidence is an inevitable consequence of underground mining, which may be immediate or delayed for many years. The surface damage due to abandoned underground mine is observed to be two subsidence types such as simple sinkhole or trough formation to a large scale sliding of the ground from with in the subsided area. An evaluation of the risk of a subsidence occurrence is vital in the areas affected by mining subsidence. For a subsidence prediction or a risk evaluation, there has been used various methods using empirical models, profile functions, influence functions and numerical models. In this study, a simple but efficient evaluation method of subsidence hazard is suggested, which is based on a diffusion theory and uses just information about geometry of caving and topography. The diffusion model has an analogous relationship with granular model which can explain a mechanism of subsidence. The diffusion model is applied for the evaluation of subsidence hazard in abandoned metal and coal mines. The model is found to be a simple but efficient tool because it needs information of geometry of caving and gangway and the topography.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6 s.134
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• pp.8-16
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• 2005

Fire-killed trees of Korean red pine are valuable resources for industrial uses. It is common only believed that fire-killed trees are too weak and brittle to use in construction purposes. The misunderstandings of fire-killed trees lead these valuable resources abandonment. The purposes of this research are focused on scrutinization of material properties of fire-killed trees to facilitate industrial uses of these resources. The sample logs were collected from the forest fire site of the eastern coast area in which the most catastrophic wild fire had taken place in 2000. Fire-killed Korean red pines were classified into 3 levels by the degree of fire damage so called light, medium and heavy, then their physical, mechanical and chemical properties were compared with sound trees. No significant difference in physical appearances were found in the cross sections by degree of damage compared to sound tree but bark char. Investigation on mechanical and chemical properties indicates that forest fire did not impact significantly in lowering the strength of damaged trees. It was concluded that there was any limitation of forest fire-killed trees of Korean red pine in industrial utilization.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.785-796
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• 2019

Power transmission substations are susceptible to potential damage under seismic excitations. Two of the major seismic failure modes in substation supplies are: the breakage of brittle insulator, and conductor end fittings. This paper presents efficient isolation strategies for seismically strengthening of a two-item set of equipment including capacitive voltage transformer (CVT) adjacent to a Lightning Arrester (LA). Two different strategies are proposed, Case A: implementation of base isolation at the base of the CVT, while the LA is kept fixed-base, and Case B: implementation of base isolation at the base of the LA, while the CVT is kept fixed-base. Both CVT and LA are connected to each other using a cable during the dynamic excitation. The probabilistic seismic behavior is measured by Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), and a series of appropriate damage states are proposed. Finally, the fragility curves are derived for both the systems. It is found that Friction Pendulum System (FPS) isolator has the potential of decreasing flexural stresses caused by intense ground motions. The research has shown that when the FPS is placed under LA, i.e. Case B (as oppose to Case A), the efficiency of the system is improved in terms of reducing the forces and stresses at the bottom of the porcelain. Several parametric studies are also performed to determine the optimum physical properties of the FPS.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1999

Since concrete is an inhomogeneous material consisting of larger aggregates and sand embedded in a cement paste matrix, it relatively shows a complex failure mechanism. In order to assure the reliability of concrete structure. microscopic fracture behavior and internal damage progress of concrete under the loading should be fully understood. In this study, an acoustic emission(AE) technique has been used to clarify microscopic failure mechanism and their corresponding AE signal characteristics of concrete under three-point bending test. In addition 2-dimensional AE source location has been performed to monitor the progress of an internal damage and the successive crack growth behavior during the loading. The relationship between AE signal characteristics and microscopic fracture mechanism is discussed.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.205-214
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• 2010

Masonry structures have been used throughout the world for the construction of residential buildings. However, from a structural point of view, the masonry material is characterized by a very low tensile strength. Moreover, the bearing and shear capacity of masonry walls have been found to be vulnerable to earthquakes. In this study, to improve the seismic performance of masonry walls, hexagonal blocks were developed and six masonry walls made with hexagonal block were tested to failure under reversed cyclic lateral loading. This paper focuses on an experimental investigation of different types of wall with hexagonal blocks, i.e. walls with different hexagonal blocks and with different reinforcing bar arrangements, subjected to applied cyclic loads. The cracking, damage patterns and hysteretic feature were evaluated. Results from the hexagonal masonry wall were shown more damage reduction and less brittle failure in comparison to the existing rectangular masonry walls.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.521-528
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• 2021

In this study, to repair damaged economizer fin tubes on ships, sealing treatment was performed after applying arc thermal spray coating technology using Inconel 625. A solid particle erosion (SPE) experiment was conducted according to ASTM G76-05 to evaluate the durability of the substrate, thermal spray coating (TSC), and thermal spray coating+sealing treatment (TSC+Sealing) specimens. The surface damage shape was observed using a scanning electron microscope and 3D laser microscope, and the durability was evaluated through the weight loss and surface roughness analysis. Consequently, the durability of the substrate was superior to that of TSC and TSC+Sealing, which was believed to be owing to numerous pore defects in the TSC layer. In addition, the mechanism of solid particle erosion damage was accompanied by plastic deformation and fatigue, which were the characteristics of ductile materials in the case of the substrate, and the tendency of brittle fracture in the case of TSC and TSC+Sealing was confirmed.