• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2012

At mesoscale, concrete is considered as a three-phase composite material consisting of the aggregate particles, the cement matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The reconstruction of the internal structures for concrete composites requires the identification of the boundary of the aggregate particles and the cement matrix using digital imaging technology followed by post-processing through MATLAB. A parameter study covers the subsection transformation, median filter, and open and close operation of the digital image sample to obtain the optimal parameter for performing the image processing technology. The subsection transformation is performed using a grey histogram of the digital image samples with a threshold value of [120, 210] followed by median filtering with a $16{\times}16$ square module based on the dimensions of the aggregate particles and their internal impurity. We then select a "disk" tectonic structure with a specific radius, which performs open and close operations on the images. The edges of the aggregate particles (similar to the original digital images) are obtained using the canny edge detection method. The finite element model at mesoscale can be established using the proposed image processing technology. The location of the crack determined through the numerical method is identical to the experimental result, and the load-displacement curve determined through the numerical method is in close agreement with the experimental results. Comparisons of the numerical and experimental results show that the proposed image processing technology is highly effective in reconstructing the internal structures of concrete composites.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.253-266
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• 2023

The time-reversal method is employed to improve the ability of pipeline defect detection, and a new approach of identifying the pipeline defect depth is proposed in this research. When the L(0,2) mode ultrasonic guided wave excited through a lead zirconate titinate (PZT) transduce array propagates along the pipeline with a defect, it will interact with the defect and be partially converted to flexural F(n, m) modes and longitudinal L(0,1) mode. Using a receiving PZT array attached axisymmetrically around the pipeline, the L(0,2) reflection signal as well as the mode conversion signals at the defect are obtained. An appropriate rectangle window is used to intercept the L(0,2) reflection signal and the mode conversion signals from the obtained direct detection signals. The intercepted signals are time reversed and re-excited in the pipeline again, result in the guided wave energy focusing on the pipeline defect, the L(0,2) reflection and the L(0,1) mode conversion signals being enhanced to a higher level, especially for the small defect in the early crack stage. Besides the L(0,2) reflection signal, the L(0,1) mode conversion signal also contains useful pipeline defect information. It is possible to identify the pipeline defect depth by monitoring the variation trend of L(0,2) and L(0,1) reflection coefficients. The finite element method (FEM) simulation and experiment results are given in the paper, the enhancement of pipeline defect reflection signals by time-reversal method is obvious, and the way to identify pipeline defect depth is demonstrated to be effective.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.17
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• pp.85-100
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• 2016

The Bukji-ri Stone Pensive Bodhisattva of Bonghwa in the collection of Kyungpook National University Museum was transported to the National Museum of Korea for display in a special exhibition('Masterpieces of Early Buddhist Sculpture 100 BCE - 700 CE') and therefore underwent conservation ahead of the exhibition's start date. The stone sculpture had visibly encrusted surface dirt, granular disintegration and fissures upon arrival. Notably, a crack running obliquely across its lower half rendered the object unable to support its own weight without a pedestal, so one was created in order to maintain the sculpture in an upright position while on exhibition. The sculpture was further examined using a polarizing microscope and a stereoscopic microscope. SEM-EDS resulted in petrographic analysis of the stone's mineral composition and identification of its surface contaminants. Polarizing light microscopy confirmed biotite granite as the main mineral component of the object. Several urethane resins cast in round cross-sections were inserted into the newly made pedestal and stability tests were perform to measure the frictional force of the resins. An additional test was performed to compare urethane resin and epoxy resin, with results showing urethane to have a higher coefficient of friction. Utilizing a pedestal with urethane resin effectively ensured the stability of the Bukji-ri Stone Pensive Bodhisattva of Bonghwa during the aforementioned exhibition.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1998

There are about 1470 stone-cultural properties in Korea which have been registered and protected by the government. Representative of them are pagoda, stupa, stone-buddha, stele support of banner pole and stone-lanterns. Most of them have been exposed to and weathered by natural environments. Stone-cultural properties are destroyed and/or destructed mostly by weathering and its related features of rocks. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct geological studies on the weathering phenomena and related features as well as characteristics of the rock itself must be done for the conservation. Thus geological investigation should include detail measurements, rock varieties and phases, structural lineaments of the rock, cause and degree of weathering, degree and patterns of crack development structural stability, identification of reusable parts for restoration, geomorphological characteristics of the site, and etc. The interaction among these factors must be investigated and analyzed, which must be used as basic data to establish the guideline of conservation and to plan for repair and/or restoration. The conservation plan should involve parts to be repaired, method of repair, type of cementing material, the characteristics of rock phases to be supplemented, method for maintaining structural stability, and method to delay or to prevent the rock weathering.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.400-414
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• 2021

Under high-level radioactive waste repository conditions, bentonite as an engineered barrier material undergoes thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes. We report the applications of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) imaging technique on the characterization and analysis of bentonite over the past decade to provide a reference of the utilization of this technique and the recent research trends. This overview of the X-ray CT technique applications includes the characterization of the bentonite either in pellets or powder form. X-ray imaging has provided a means to extract grain information at the microscale and identify crack networks responsible for the pellets' heterogeneity. Regarding samples of pellets-powder mixtures under hydration, X-ray CT allowed the identification and monitoring of heterogeneous zones throughout the test. Some results showed how zones with pellets only swell faster compared to others composed of pellets and powder. Moreover, the behavior of fissures between grains and bentonite matrix was observed to change under drying and hydrating conditions, tending to close during the former and open during the latter. The development of specializing software has allowed obtaining strain fields from a sequence of images. In more recent works, X-ray CT technique has served to estimate the dry density, water content, and particle displacement at different testing times. Also, when temperature was added to the hydration process of a sample, CT technology offered a way to observe localized and global density changes over time.