• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.4426-4442
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• 2020

Since scene segmentation is becoming a hot topic in the field of autonomous driving and medical image analysis, researchers are actively trying new methods to improve segmentation accuracy. At present, the main issues in image semantic segmentation are intra-class inconsistency and inter-class indistinction. From our analysis, the lack of global information as well as macroscopic discrimination on the object are the two main reasons. In this paper, we propose a Densely connected residual Attention network (DA-Res2Net) which consists of a dense residual network and channel attention guidance module to deal with these problems and improve the accuracy of image segmentation. Specifically, in order to make the extracted features equipped with stronger multi-scale characteristics, a densely connected residual network is proposed as a feature extractor. Furthermore, to improve the representativeness of each channel feature, we design a Channel-Attention-Guide module to make the model focusing on the high-level semantic features and low-level location features simultaneously. Experimental results show that the method achieves significant performance on various datasets. Compared to other state-of-the-art methods, the proposed method reaches the mean IOU accuracy of 83.2% on PASCAL VOC 2012 and 79.7% on Cityscapes dataset, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.1
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• pp.89-102
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• 2021

Rapid construction of prefabricated bridges requires minimizing the field work of precast members and ensuring structural stability and constructability. In this study, we conducted experimental and analytical investigations of transverse joints of prefabricated T-girder bridge superstructures to verify the flexural performance and serviceability. In addition, we conducted parametric studies to identify the joint parameters. The results showed that both the segmented and continuous specimens satisfied the ultimate flexural strength criterion, and the segmented specimen exhibited unified behavior, with the flexural strength corresponding to that of the continuous specimen. The segmented specimens exhibited elastic behavior under service load conditions, and the maximum crack width satisfied the acceptance criteria. The reliability of the finite element model of the joint was verified, and parametric analysis of the convexity of the joint section and the compressive strength of the filler concrete showed that the minimum deflection and crack width occurred at a specific angle. As the strength of the filler concrete increased, the deflection and crack width decreased. However, we confirmed that the reduction in the crack width was hardly observed above a specific strength. Therefore, a design suitable for prefabricated bridges and accelerated construction can be achieved by improving the joint specifications based on the required criteria.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

In this study, centrifuge model tests were performed to evaluate the seismic response of multi-DOF structures with shallow foundations. Also, elastic time history analysis on the fixed-base model was performed and compared with the experimental results. As a result of the centrifuge model test, earthquake amplification at the fundamental vibration frequency of the soil (= 2.44 Hz) affected the third vibration mode frequency (= 2.50 Hz) of the long-period structure and the first vibration mode (= 2.27 Hz) of the short-period structure. The shallow foundation lengthened the periods of the structures by 14-20% compared to the fixed base condition. The response spectrum of acceleration measured at the shallow foundation was smaller than that of free-field motion due to the foundation damping effect. The ultimate moment capacity of the soil-foundation system limited the dynamic responses of the multi-DOF structures. Therefore, the considerations on period lengthening, foundation damping, and ultimate moment capacity of the soil-foundation system might improve the seismic design of the multi-DOF building structures.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

Teaching and learning are one of the major issues during this pandemic (COVID-19). Since the pandemic started, there are many changes in teaching and learning styles as everything related to studies started online. Game-Based Learning has got remarkable importance in the educational system and pedagogy as an effective way of increasing student inspiration and engagement. In this field, most of the work has been carried out in digital games. This research uses an Animated Game-Based Learning design in enhancing student engagement and perception of learning. In teaching Computer Science (CS) concepts in higher education, to enhance the pedagogy activities in CS concepts, more specifically the concepts of "Data Structures (DS)" i.e., Array, Stack, and Queue concepts are focused. This study aims to observe the difference in students' learning with the use of different learning methods i.e., the traditional learning (TL) method and the Animated Game-Based Learning (AGBL) Method. The experimental results show that learning DS concepts has been improved by the AGBL method as compared to the TL method.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.449-460
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• 2022

Safe underground construction in a rock mass requires adequate ground investigation and effective determination of rock conditions. The estimation of rock mass behavior is difficult, because rock masses are innately anisotropic and heterogeneous at different scales and are affected by various environmental factors. Quantitative rock mass classification systems, such as the Q-system and rock mass rating, are widely used for characterization and engineering design. The measurement of rock classification parameters is subjective and can vary among observers, resulting in questionable accuracy. Geophysical investigation methods, such as seismic surveys, have also been used for ground characterization. Torsional shear wave propagation characteristics in cylindrical rods are equal to that in an infinite media. A probabilistic quantitative relationship between the Q-value and shear wave velocity is thus investigated considering long-wavelength wave propagation in equivalent continuum jointed rock masses. Individual Q-system parameters are correlated with stress-dependent shear wave velocities in jointed rocks using experimental and numerical methods. The relationship between the Q-value and the shear wave velocity is normalized using a defined reference condition. This relationship is further improved using probabilistic analysis to remove unrealistic data and to suggest a range of Q-values for a given wave velocity. The proposed probabilistic Q-value estimation is then compared with field measurements and cross-hole seismic test data to verify its applicability.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.479-487
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• 2022

This study evaluates the performance of gravel impact compaction piers system (GICPs) in strengthening retrofitting a very loose silty sand layer with a very high liquefaction risk with a thickness of 3.5 meters in a multilayer coastal soil located in Bushehr, Iran. The liquefiable sandy soil layer was located on clay layers with moderate to very stiff relative consistency. Implementation of gravel impact compaction piers is a new generation of aggregate piers. After technical and economic evaluation of the site plan, out of 3 experimental distances of 1.8, 2 and 2.2 meters between compaction piers, the distance of 2.2 meters was selected as a winning option and the northern ring of the site was implemented with 1250 gravel impact compaction piers. Based on the results of the standard penetration test in the matrix soil around the piers showed that the amount of (N₁)₆₀ in compacted soils was in the range of 20-27 and on average 14 times the amount of (1-3) in the initial soil. Also, the relative density of the initial soil was increased from 25% to 63% after soil improvement. Also the safety factor of the improved soil is 1.5-1.7 times the minimum required according to the two risk levels in the design.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2023

A two-hour fire-resistance PC hollow slab for residential use was developed to secure structural and fire-resistance performance and to be applied to the general building and apartment housing markets. Compared to the existing hollow slab, in order to secure the same or better structural performance and economic feasibility by reducing the quantity, it was attempted to secure the fire resistance performance by reducing the concrete filling rate in the cross section and adjusting the thickness of the upper and lower flanges by optimizing the hollow shape in the cross section of the slab. For structural performance evaluation, experiments were performed on PC hollow slabs by varying the member thickness and the presence or absence of overlaid concrete, and all of the experimental results showed that the design strength was sufficiently exhibited and that stability during construction was possible. The developed synthetic PC hollow slab has secured fire resistance and residential performance so that it can be applied to all buildings, and it is intended to be immediately applied to the field.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.1999-2010
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• 2023

Undesirable flapping motion of discs can cause the failure of swing check valves in nuclear passive safety systems. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) was employed to investigate the flow characteristics around a free-to-rotate plate and the motion response, with the Reynolds numbers, based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel, from 1.32 × 10⁴ to 3.95 × 10⁴. Appreciable flapping motion (±3.52°) appeared at the Reynolds number of 2.6 × 10⁴ with the frequency of 5.08 Hz. In the low-Reynolds-number case, the plate showed negligible flapping. In the high-Reynolds-number case, the deflection angle increased with reduced flapping amplitude. The torque from the fluid determined the flapping amplitude. In the low-Reynolds-number case, Karman vortices were absent. With increasing Reynolds numbers, Karman vortices developed behind the plate with larger deflection angles. Strong interaction between the wake flow from the leading and trailing edge of the plate was observed. Based on power spectrum density (PSD) analysis, the vortex shedding frequency coincided with the flapping frequency, and the amplitude was positively correlated to the strength of the vortices. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) modes evince that, in the case of appreciable motion, coherent structures exhibited a larger spatial scale, enhancing the magnitude of the external torque on the plate.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.209-222
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• 2022

Finite element analyses using coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian technique are performed to investigate the effect of soil conditions on plugging of open-ended piles in sands. Results from numerical simulations are compared against the data from field load tests on three open-ended piles and show very good agreement. A parametric study focusing on determination of the coefficient of lateral earth pressure (K) in soil plug after pile driving are then performed for various soil densities, end-bearing conditions, and layering conditions. Results from the parametric study suggest that the K value in the soil plug - and hence the degree of soil plugging - increases with increasing soil densities. The analysis results further show that the K value within the soil plug can reach about 63 to 71% of the coefficient of passive earth pressure after pile driving. For layered soil profiles, the greater K values are achieved after pile driving when the denser soil layer is present near the pile base regardless of number of soil layers. This study provides comprehensive numerical and experimental data that can be used to develop advanced theory for analysis and design of open-ended pipe piles, especially for estimation of inner shaft resistance after pile driving.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.592-595
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• 2013

Advent of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) has provided potentials to a variety of construction applications. It is well appreciated that WSNs have advantages over traditional wired system, such as ease of installation and maintenance with increased cost savings and efficiencies. However, the obstruction of wireless signal from physical objects in the heterogeneous construction environment often brings challenges to WSN measurement system. This paper analyzed the obstruction characteristic of construction environment where construction materials, equipment, and built structures obstruct the wireless signal yielding negative effect of measurement system. By adopting evaluation criteria, such as packet reception rate, field experiments have been implemented to quantitatively identify the interference of wireless signal from penetration, reflection, and network traffic under the construction environment. The results show that reliable performance of wireless sensor in construction environment depends on the optimal separation distance between a receiver and a transmitter, obstruction types, obstruction thickness, and transmission interval. In addition, the methodology and experimental results of this paper could be used in the practical design of network topology when hundreds of sensor nodes form a mesh network in the large scale construction applications.