• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.147-162
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• 2024

This study presents a random-aggregate mesoscale model integrating the random distribution of the coarse aggerates and the damage mechanics of the mortar and interfacial transition zone (ITZ). This mesoscale model can generate the random distribution of the coarse aggregates according to the prescribed particle size distribution which enables the automation of the current methodology with different coarse aggregates' distribution. The main innovation of this work is to propose the "correction factor" to eliminate the dimensionally dependent mesh sensitivity of the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model. After implementing the correction factor through the user-defined subroutine in the randomly meshed mesoscale model, the predicted fracture resistance is in good agreement with the average experimental results of a series of geometrically similar single-edge-notched beams (SENB) concrete specimens. The simulated cracking pattern is also more realistic than the conventional concrete material models. The proposed random-aggregate mesoscale model hence demonstrates its validity in the application of concrete fracture failure and statistical size effect analysis.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 1985

This study deals with problems of estimating the availability of the multi-module software systems. The result presented in this paper is an extension of our previous paper (2) entitled "A modified Markov model for the estimation of computer software performance". The extension is made by assuming that (1) the software system consists of R statistically independent software modules; (2) no failure occurrence while the process is in transition between software modules.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1753-1761
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• 1996

The wear behaviors of ${Si_3}{N_4}$ under the different sliding conditions were investigated. The cylinder-on-disc wear tester was used. Using the servo-metor, the sliding speed did ot alternate due to the frictional forces. Threekinds of loads and speeds were selected to watch the variation of the wear rates and the frictional forces. Also three kinds of sliding condition under a constant speed were used to see the effects of the oxidationand the abrasion. The contact pressure was more effective than the repeated cycle on the wear behavior of ${Si_3}{N_4}$. With the low loads, the effect of the asperity-failure was more dominant than that of oxidation and abrasion. As increasing the load, the effects of oxidation and abrasion were increased, but the asperity-failure effects were decreased. The wear particles destroyed the ozide layers formed on sliding surfaces. The wear rate could be decreased due to delaying the oxidation. The frictional power and the wear weight per time were usefuel to see the transition of wear.

• Magazine of korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.101-112
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• 2019

This case study presented a simplified failure mechanism approach used as a preliminary deformation prediction for the Mexico City's metro system expansion. Because of the Mexico City's difficult subsoils, Line 12 project was considered one of the most challenging projects in Mexico. Mexico City's subsurface conditions can be described as a multilayered stratigraphy changing from soft high plastic clays to dense to very dense cemented sands. The Line 12 trajectory crossed all three main geotechnical Zones in Mexico City. Starting from to west of the City, Line 12 was projected to pass through very dense cemented sands corresponding to the Foothills zone changing to the Transition zone and finalizing in the Lake zone. Due to the change in the subsurface conditions, different constructions methods were implemented including the use of TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine), the NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method), and cut-and-cover using braced Diaphragm walls for the underground section of the project. Preliminary crown and excavation front deformations were determined using a simplified failure mechanism prior to performing finite element modeling and analysis. Results showed corresponding deformations for the crown and the excavation front to be 3.5cm (1.4in) and 6cm (2.4in), respectively. Considering the complexity of Mexico City's difficult subsoil formation, construction method selection becomes a challenge to overcome. The use of a preliminary results in order to have a notion of possible deformations prior to advanced modeling and analysis could be beneficial and helpful to select possible construction procedures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.469-477
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• 2019

The understanding of tool-rock interaction mechanism is of high essence for improving the rock breaking efficiency and optimizing the drilling parameters in mechanical rock breaking. In this study, the tool-rock interaction models of indentation and cutting are carried out by employing the discrete element method (DEM) to examine the rock failure modes of various brittleness rocks and critical indentation and cutting depths of the ductile to brittle failure mode transition. The results show that the cluster size and inter-cluster to intra-cluster bond strength ratio are the key factors which influence the UCS magnitude and the UCS to BTS ratio. The UCS to BTS strength ratio can be increased to a more realistic value using clustered rock model so that the characteristics of real rocks can be better represented. The critical indentation and cutting depth decrease with the brittleness of rock increases and the decreasing rate reduces dramatically against the brittleness value. This effort may lead to a better understanding of rock breaking mechanisms in mechanical excavation, and may contribute to the improvement in the design of rock excavation machines and the related parameters determination.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2021

This paper aims at the temperature and slenderness ratio effects on physical and mechanical properties of Beishan granite. A series of uniaxial compression tests with various slenderness ratios and temperatures were carried out, and the acoustic emission signal was also collected. As the temperature increases, the fracture aperture of intercrystalline cracks gradually increases, and obvious transcrystalline cracks occurs when T > 600℃. The failure patterns change from tensile failure mode to ductile failure mode with the increasing temperature. The elastic modulus decreases with the temperature and increases with slenderness ratio, then tends to be a constant value when T = 1000℃. However, the peak strain has the opposite evolution as the elastic modulus under the effects of temperature and slenderness ratio. The uniaxial compression strength (UCS) changes a little for the low-temperature specimens of T < 400℃, but a significant decrease happens when T = 400℃ and 800℃ due to phase transitions of mineral. The evolution denotes that the critical brittle-ductile transition temperature increases with slenderness ratio, and the critical slenderness ratio corresponding to the characteristic mechanical behavior tends to be smaller with the increasing temperature. Additionally, the AE quantity also increases with temperature in an exponential function.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.659-679
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• 2022

Efforts to improve end-of-life (EOL) care have generally been focused on cancer patients, but high-quality EOL care is also important for patients with other serious medical illnesses including heart failure (HF). Recent HF guidelines offer more clinical considerations for palliative care including EOL care than ever before. Because HF patients can experience rapid, unexpected clinical deterioration or sudden death throughout the disease trajectory, choosing an appropriate time to discuss issues such as advance directives or hospice can be challenging in real clinical situations. Therefore, EOL issues should be discussed early. Conversations are important for understanding patient and family expectations and developing mutually agreed goals of care. In particular, high-quality communication with patient and family through a multidisciplinary team is necessary to define patient-centered goals of care and establish treatment based on goals. Control of symptoms such as dyspnea, pain, anxiety/depression, fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and altered mental status throughout the dying process is an important issue that is often overlooked. When quality-of-life outweighs expanding quantity-of-life, the transition to EOL care should be considered. Advanced care planning including resuscitation (i.e., do-not resuscitate order), device deactivation, site for last days and bereavement support for the family should focus on ensuring a good death and be reviewed regularly. It is essential to ensure that treatment for all HF patients incorporates discussions about the overall goals of care and individual patient preferences at both the EOL and sudden changes in health status. In this review, we focus on EOL care for end-stage HF patients.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2009

The failure behavior of RC structure was exceedingly affected by the size and the local strain distribution of the failure zone due to the strain localization behavior on the tension softening materials. However, it is very difficult to quantify and assess the local strain occurring in the failure zone by the conventional test method. In this study, image processing technology, which is available to measure the strain up to the complete failure of RC structures, was used to estimate the local strain distribution and the size of failure zone. In order to verify the reliability and validity for the image processing technology, the strain transition acquired by the image processing technology was compared with strain values measured by the concrete gauge on the uniaxial compressive specimens. Based on the verification of image processing technology for the uniaxial compressive specimens, the size and the local strain distribution of the failure zone of deep beam was measured using the image processing technology. With the results of test, the principal tensile/compressive strain contours were drawn. Using the strain contours, the size of the failure zone and the local strain distribution on the failure of the deep beam was evaluated. The results of strain contour showed that image processing technology is available to assess the failure behavior of deep beam and obtain the local strain values on the domain of the post-peak failure comparatively.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2015

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is commonly used for the therapy of colon cancer; however, acquired resistance to 5-FU is a critical barrier to successful treatment and the primary cause of chemotherapy failure. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process whereby cells undergo alterations in morphology and molecular characteristics promoting tumor progression and metastasis. Accumulating evidence shows that transition from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype in cancer cells is associated with their resistance to chemotherapy. However, it is still poorly understood whether EMT is involved in acquired resistance to 5-FU. In this study, we developed an in vitro cell model, 5-FU-resistant HT-29 colon cancer cells, and characterized the differences in cellular morphology and molecular alterations between parental and resistant cells. In accord with mesenchymal-like morphology of 5-FU-resistant HT-29 cells, the expression of the mesenchymal marker fibronectin was significantly increased in these cells in comparision with that in the parental cells. Of interest, we also found a marked increase in the expression of EMT-inducing transcription factors Twist, Zeb1, and Zeb2. Finally, 5-FU-resistant cells showed enhanced migration in comparison with parental HT-29. Taken together, these results indicate that EMT could be associated with 5-FU resistance acquired by HT-29 cells. A specific role of each transcription factor found in this study will require further investigation.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.213-240
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• 2017

In the harsh period for young adults to prepare their successful life, this study aimed to understand the specific experiences of independence transition among homeless young adults. Also this article explored how their family perform as a supportive system for their independence. Using in depth interview materials of 19~39 aged 8 young homeless males, the research analyzed their family's weak support; no family members, no economic support and breaking relationship. As to occasion of independence, the participants sometimes experienced loss of house, evacuation by their family or runaway from their home. It was abrupt and unexpected leaving home. Also their process of independence was beyond their capacity that they suffered from instability job and destitute rather than continuous mental trauma and isolation. In the end they faced serious risky situations that they cannot manage without any help. The findings of this study suggest that quality of family relationship would be more important than economic capital from family and transition to adulthood of vulnerable young adults who don't have family support need much alternative supportive system and social capital.