• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Various offshore structures such as FPSO, FSO, Semi-submersible, TLP and Spar are operated to develop offshore oil and gas fields. Most of the offshore structures shall be operated over 20 years under the harsh environments at sites so that the offshore structures should be designed to endure the harsh environments. In this study, the effect of the impact load (so called slapping load) by the steep waves acting on the FPSO bow is investigated through the model test. For measurement of the impact pressures on the frontal area, a bow-shaped panel was fabricated, and installed the pressure sensors on the bow starboard side of the model FPSO. During the model test campaign, the impact load was investigated using the steep waves with $Hs/{\lambda}$ greater than 1/16 of the representative wave condition. Consequently, it is confirmed through the model test that the impact loads acting on the FPSO bow are significantly increased with the steep waves ($Hs/{\lambda}$ > 1/16) than the representative wave conditions of a maximum significant wave height and a pitch forcing period. Therefore, for safe design of North Sea FPSO, it is necessary to consider the steep waves in addition to the representative wave conditions and to be applied as proper structural load. Also, the effect of random seeds in irregular waves should be considered to build the safe FPSO.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.162-177
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• 2020

Background: Ecologists have achieved much progress in the study of mechanisms that maintain species coexistence and diversity. In this paper, we reviewed a wide range of past research related to these topics, focusing on five theoretical bodies: (1) coexistence by niche differentiation, (2) coexistence without niche differentiation, (3) coexistence along environmental stress gradients, (4) coexistence under non-equilibrium versus equilibrium conditions, and (5) modern perspectives. Results: From the review, we identified that there are few models that can be generally and confidently applicable to different ecological systems. This problem arises mainly because most theories have not been substantiated by enough empirical research based on field data to test various coexistence hypotheses at different spatial scales. We also found that little is still known about the mechanisms of species coexistence under harsh environmental conditions. This is because most previous models treat disturbance as a key factor shaping community structure, but they do not explicitly deal with stressful systems with non-lethal conditions. We evaluated the mainstream ideas of niche differentiation and stochasticity for the coexistence of plant species across salt marsh creeks in southwestern Denmark. The results showed that diversity indices, such as Shannon-Wiener diversity, richness, and evenness, decreased with increasing surface elevation and increased with increasing niche overlap and niche breadth. The two niche parameters linearly decreased with increasing elevation. These findings imply a substantial influence of an equalizing mechanism that reduces differences in relative fitness among species in the highly stressful environments of the marsh. We propose that species evenness increases under very harsh conditions if the associated stress is not lethal. Finally, we present a conceptual model of patterns related to the level of environmental stress and niche characteristics along a microhabitat gradient (i.e., surface elevation). Conclusions: The ecology of stressful systems with non-lethal conditions will be increasingly important as ongoing global-scale climate change extends the period of chronic stresses that are not necessarily fatal to inhabiting plants. We recommend that more ecologists continue this line of research.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.216-216
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• 2009

This paper describes a novel processing technique for the fabrication of polymer-derived SiCN (silicone carbonitride) microstructures for extreme microelectromechanical system (MEMS) applications. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold was formed on an SU-8 pattern using a standard UV photolithographic process. Next, the liquid precursor, polysilazane, was injected into the PDMS mold to fabricate free-standing SiCN microstructures. Finally, the solid polymer SiCN microstructure was cross-linked using hot isostatic pressure at $400^{\circ}C$ and 205 bar. The optimal pyrolysis and annealing conditions to form a ceramic microstructure capable of withstanding temperatures over $1400^{\circ}C$ were determined. Using the optimal process conditions, the fabricated SiCN ceramic microstructure possessed excellent characteristics includingshear strength (15.2 N), insulation resistance ($2.163{\times}10^{14}\;{\Omega}$, and BDV (1.2 kV, minimum). Since the fabricated ceramic SiCN microstructure has improved electrical and physical characteristics compared to bulk Si wafers, it may be applied to harsh environments and high-power MEMS applications such as heat exchangers and combustion chambers.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.10b
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• pp.540-541
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• 2008

원자력 발전소 격납구조(containment) 내에 설치되는 센서, 구동기(actuator) 및 설비는 원전의 안전운전과 함께 방사능 누출사고와 같은 중대사고(severe accident)를 예방하기 위한 것이다. 격납구조 내부는 Category I 등급으로 분류되며, 격납구조 내부에 설치되는 센서, 구동기, 기기 및 통신망은 IEEE Std. 323-1974에서 정의하는 극한환경(harsh environment) 요건에서 생존할 수 있는 내환경성이 요구된다. 이러한 엄격한 내환경성 요건으로 인해 일반 산업의 IT 기반 센서통신망이 원전 격납건물 내부에는 적용되지 않고 있다. 최근에 이르러 독일을 중심으로 신규로 건설 중이거나 계획 중인 원전에서는 일반 산업의 IT 기반 센서 통신망 적용이 검토되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 IT 기반의 첨단 센서 통신망 기술을 격납구조내부와 같은 극한 환경에 적용하기 위한 방안을 제시하고자 한다. 정상운전중의 원전 격납 건물 내부의 환경(온도, 감마선, 습도) 특성과 중대 사고를 가정한 DBA (설계 기준사고) 요건에서의 환경 특성을 조사하였다. 또한 설계기준사고에서 정의한 감마선 조사 환경에서 통신 시스템의 생존성을 실험하였다. 이를 토대로 격납구조내부의 원전 극한 환경 통신망의 개선방안을 제시하고자 한다.

• Journal of The Institute of Information and Telecommunication Facilities Engineering
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.110-114
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• 2011

The recent development of 4G mobile communication system has led to the rapid technology shift from conventional repeater systems using coaxial cable links towards new fiber optic repeater systems using fiber-optic links between the base station and the outdoor fiber optic repeater. The technical changes have brought up the increasing needs of robust optic links that can be used in harsh environments. Based on the most demanding requirements, a new outdoor optical connector employing 2-channel fiber optics, uplink and downlink, has been developed for the applications where the rugged environmental protection is essential. This paper describes the development of the new connector along with the design criteria and performance results. In summarizing, the prototype optical connectors have undergone extensive laboratory and field test, and they have shown exceptional optical and mechanical characteristics under extreme environmental conditions. The connectors have also exhibited capabilities of providing fast and easy installation while maintaining high performance fiber optic connections.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.17-22
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• 2011

The underwater environments are quite different from the terrestrial ones in terms of the communication channel and constrains. In underwater wireless sensor network, the probability of node failure is high because sensor nodes are deployed in more harsh environments than the ground based networks and moved by waves and currents. There are researches considering the communication environments of underwater to improve the data transmission throughput. In this paper, we present a checkpointing scheme of the cluster heads that recoveries from a cluster head failure quickly. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme enhances the reliability of the networks and more efficient in terms of the energy consumption and the recovery latency than without checkpointing.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.103-113
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• 2004

The satellite is exposed to the severe vibration environments such as random vibration environments such as random vibration, acceleration, shock, and acoustics during launch ascent and transportation. It is also faced with various space environments such as thermal vacuum, radiation and microgravity during the mission life. The satellite should be designed, manufactured, assembled and tested to be able to endure in these harsh environments. This paper addresses the results of the structural and thermal design and analyses for the HAUSAT-1 picosatellite which is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2005 by Russian launch vehicle "Dnepr". The qualification vibration and thermal vacuum tests have been conducted and passed at the satellite level to ensure that the HAUSAT-1 mechanical system was designed to be stable with enough margin.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2021

In this study, the development of the room temperature curable silica-based coating compositions for anticorrosive and antifouling performance in marine environments was carried out. The marine (plant) structures with many exposed parts are operated in harsh marine environments such as strong ultraviolet rays, extreme temperature differences and salt water corrosion. Organic paints that are easily degraded under these environments and easily eroded by physical stimuli such as waves can not play a role properly. Dense ceramic coatings on marine structures provide careful protections even in saltwater environments due to their high hardness and rust resistance. Therefore, in the case of ceramic coatings, their use and application range in marine structures can be greatly improved due to their functional advantages. In the present study, silica-based coating compositions based on colloidal silica with silane coupling agents, curing salts, and ceramic fillers were developed, and their applications as protective coatings for corrosion protection and fouling prevention in seawater were also studied.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.239-244
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• 2013

Marine equipment exposed to harsh environments requires not only excellent corrosion resistance but also improvement of physical characteristics against natural material degradation. With growing interests in ocean energy resources, the higher reliability for marine equipment has become more important in terms of material characteristics. ALBC3 alloy represents excellent corrosion resistance and is widely used in corrosive environments. However, cavitation damage occurs frequently due to its poor durability in high flow rate of marine environment. In this research, shot peening technology was employed as a surface modification with shot peening stand-off distance to mitigate cavitation damage. The effects of shot peening on extent of cavitation damage and weight loss were evaluated for both shot peened and non-peened specimens. The results revealed that the application of shot peeing decreased cavitation damage for all experimental conditions in comparison with the non-peened specimens. The optimum stand-off distance was determined to be 10 cm, since more than 35 % of cavitation damage reduction was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.527-555
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• 2018

High-temperature thermal insulation materials challenge extensive oxide candidates such as porus $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, yttria-stabilized zirconia, and mullite, due to the needs of good mechanical, thermal, and chemical reliabilities at high temperatures simultaneously. Recently, porous rare earth (RE) silicates have been revealed to be excellent thermal insulators in harsh environments. These materials display attractive properties, including high porosity, moderately high compressive strength, low processing shrinkage (near-net-shaping), and very low thermal conductivity. The current critical challenge is to balance the excellent thermal insulation property (extremely high porosity) with their good mechanical properties, especially at high temperatures. Herein, we review the recent developments in processing techniques to achieve extremely high porosity and multiscale strengthening strategy, including solid solution strengthening and fiber reinforcement methods, for enhancing the mechanical properties of porous RE silicate ceramics. Highly porous RE silicates are highlighted as emerging high-temperature thermal insulators for extreme environments.