• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.641-653
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• 2008

This paper proposes a practical and realistic method to establish an optimal lifetime maintenance strategy for deteriorating bridges by considering the life-cycle performance as well as the life-cycle cost. The proposed method offers a set of optimal tradeoff maintenance scenarios among other conflicting objectives, such as minimizing cost and maximizing performance. A genetic algorithm is used to generate a set of maintenance scenarios that is a multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem related to the lifetime performance and the life-cycle cost as separate objective functions. A computer program, which generates optimal maintenance scenarios, was developed based on the proposed method using the life-cycle costs and the performance of bridges. The subordinate relation between bridge members has been considered to decide optimal maintenance sequence and a corresponding algorithm has been implemented into the program. The developed program has been used to present a procedure for finding an optimal maintenance scenario for steel-girder bridges on the Korean National Road. Through this bridge maintenance scenario analysis, it is expected that the developed method and program can be effectively used to allow bridge managers an optimal maintenance strategy satisfying various constraints and requirements.

• Korean System Dynamics Review
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.5-31
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• 2000

The summit meeting of the South North Korean leaders was a turning point in the relationships between the two countries. It was followed by the Red-Cross Meeting, Minister-Level Meeting, economic agreements, which have increased the relationship more colorful in both quantities and qualities. However, the half-century period for separation was too long to overcome all the problems by only one event. The two countries have quite different social systems; one politically strong person is governing the North, while many interest groups are involved in political decision making processes in the South. In short, it would take a long time to settle down all the problems residing between the two countries. A system dynamics model is developed to describe the long term dynamics of the relations between the South and North Koreas. As a first attempt, the model focuses only on the diplomatic meeting issues between the South and North. The model aggregates diplomatic issues into 5 categories; economic issues, security issues, infrastructure, cultural issues, and past problems. It assumes that there would not be any dramatic changes between the two countries. It is a conceptual model composed of around 200 variables, and should not be used as a forecast tool. However, it captures most of the logics discussed in the papers and conferences concerning the South and North Korea relations. Many sensitivity studies and Monte Carlo simulations have shown that the simulation results matches with mental models of experts; that is the model can be used as a learning tool or as a secondary opinion until the data required by the model is collected. In order to analyze the current situation, five scenarios are simulated and analyzed; the functional approach, the conditional approach, the balanced approach, the circumstantial approach, and the strategic approach. The functional approach represents that the South makes efforts in the area where the possibility of agreement is high for the next 10 years. The conditional approach is a scenario where the South impose all difficult issues as conditions for resolving other diplomatic issues. The balanced approach is resolving the five issues with the same priorities, while the circumstantial approach is resolving issues which seem to be resolved easily. Finally, another optimum approach has been seek using the system dynamics model developed. The optimum strategy (it is named as the strategic approach) was strikingly different from other four approaches. The optimum strategy is so complicated that no one could find it with mental model(or by just insights). Considering that the system dynamic model used to find the optimum is a simplifind (maybe over simplified) version of the reality, it is concluded that a well designed system dynamics model would be of great help to resolving the complicated diplomatic problems in any kind.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.9 no.3 s.32
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• pp.457-465
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• 1997

The Shape optimization makes it possible to reduce the weight of structure and cost then member sizing optimization. A vast amount of imprecise information is existed in constraints of the optimum design. It is very difficult and sometimes confusing to describe and to deal with the several criteria which contain fuzzy degrees of relatives importance. This paper proposed weighting strategies in the multiobjective shape optimization of fuzzy structural system by ${\alpha}$-cut approach. The algorithm in this research is numerically tested for 2-bar truss structure. The result show that. the user can choose the one optimum solution in practices as obtaining the optimum solutions according to the ${\alpha}$-cut approach, weight of volume and displacement.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.24-29
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• 1997

Recently, Genetic Algorithm(GA), which is a stochastic direct search strategy that mimics the process of genetic evolution, is widely adapted into a search procedure for structural optimization. Contrast to traditional optimal design techniques which use design sensitivity analysis results, GA is very simple in their algorithms and there is no need of continuity of functions(or functionals) any more in GA. So, they can be easily applicable to wide area of design optimization problems. Also, owing to multi-point search procedure, they have higher porbability of convergence to global optimum compared to traditional techniques which take one-point search method. The methods consist of three genetics opera- tions named selection, crossover and mutation. In this study, a method of finding the omtimum size and topology of drilling machine is proposed by using the GA, For rapid converge to optimum, elitist survival model,roulette wheel selection with limited candidates, and multi-point shuffle cross-over method are adapted. And pseudo object function, which is the combined form of object function and penalty function, is used to include constraints into fitness function. GA shows good results of weight reducing effect and convergency in optimal design of drilling machine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.781-787
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• 2014

2-Ketogluconic acid production by Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pH-dependent process, strictly proceeding under acidic conditions. Unfortunately, cell growth is inhibited by acidic conditions, resulting in low productivity of 2-ketogluconic acid. To overcome this deficiency, a two-stage fermentation strategy was exploited in the current study. During the first stage, the culture was maintained at neutral pH, favoring cell growth. During the second stage, the culture pH was switched to acidic conditions favoring 2-ketogluconic acid accumulation. Culture parameters, including switching time, dissolved oxygen levels, pH, and temperature were optimized for the fed-batch fermentation. Characteristics of glucose dehydrogenase and gluconate dehydrogenase were revealed in vitro, and the optimal pHs of the two enzymes coincided with the optimum culture pH. Under optimum conditions, a total of 186 g/l 2-ketogluconic acid was produced at 26 h, and the conversion ratio was 0.98 mol/mol. This fermentation strategy has successfully overcome the mismatch between optimum parameters required for cell growth and 2-ketogluconic acid accumulation, and this result has the highest productivity and conversion ratio of 2-ketogluconic and produced by microorganism.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.511-541
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• 2011

The study analyzes the optimum Korea-China FTA negotiations by utilizing the Putnam's two- level game theoretic approach. According to the Putnam's theory, the size of the win-set depends on the strategies of the Level 1 negotiators. The size of the win-set depends also on the level 2 political institutions and the distribution of power, preferences, and possible conditions among Level 2 constituents. The basic principles for the successful future Korea-China FTA negotiations should be based on comprehensiveness, substantial liberalization and gradual liberalization with consideration of sensitive sectors. This study concludes that mid-level FTA strategy with comprehensive but low tariff reduction would be of best strategy for Korea. This study also suggests the utilization of the EHP(Early Harvest Program) for the successful Korea-China FTA negotiations.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2002

This paper proposes a new neuro-fuzzy system that is fast trained by evolution strategy and describes application results of the proposed system to nonlinear system identification to show its usefulness. As training methods of neuro-fuzzy systems, modified error back-propagation algorithms and genetic algorithms have been used so far. However, the former has some drawbacks such as long training time, falling to local optimum, and experimental selecting of learning rates and the latter has difficulty in precise searching solutions because genetic algorithms represents solutions as genotype individuals. The evolution strategy we used can do precise search because its individuals are represented as phenotype real values, it seldom falls into a local optimum, and its training speed is faster than error back-propagation algorithms. We apply our neuro-fuzzy systems to nonlinear system identification. It was found from experiments that training speed is fast and the training results were considerably good.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.6A
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• pp.1023-1032
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• 2006

In this paper, a new method for the bridge maintenance is proposed to overcome the limit of the existing methods and to implement the preventive bridge maintenance system. The proposed method can establish the lifetime optimum maintenance strategy of the deteriorating bridges considering the life-cycle performance as well as the life-cycle cost. The lifetime performance of the deteriorating bridges is evaluated by the safety index based on the structural reliability and the condition index detailing the condition state. The life-cycle cost is estimated by considering not only the direct maintenance cost but also the user and failure cost. The genetic algorithm is applied to generate a set of maintenance scenarios which is the multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem related to the life-cycle cost and performance. The study examined the proposed method by establishing a maintenance strategy for the existing bridge and its advantages. The result shows that the proposed method can be effectively applied to deciding the bridge maintenance strategy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 2012

In batch culture for Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-degrading enzyme (PVAase) production by a mixed culture, higher pH (pH 7.5) was favorable for PVAase production at the prophase of cultivation, but lower pH (pH 7.0) was favorable at the anaphase. This situation was caused by the fact that the optimum pH for different key enzymes [PVA dehydrogenase (PVADH) and oxidized PVA hydrolase (OPH)] production is various. The activity and average specific production rate of PVADH reached the highest values at constant pH 7.5, whereas those of OPH appeared at pH 7.0. A two-stage pH control strategy was therefore developed and compared for its potential in improving PVAase production. By using this strategy, the maximal PVAase activity reached 2.05 U/ml, which increased by 15.2% and 24.2% over the fermentation at constant pH 7.5 and 7.0.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.569-584
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• 2016

This paper presents a method for stochastic modelling of fatigue crack growth and optimising inspection and maintenance strategy for the structural members of steel bridges. The fatigue crack evolution is considered as a stochastic process with uncertainties, and the Gamma process is adopted to simulate the propagation of fatigue crack in steel bridge members. From the stochastic modelling for fatigue crack growth, the probability of failure caused by fatigue is predicted over the service life of steel bridge members. The remaining fatigue life of steel bridge members is determined by comparing the fatigue crack length with its predetermined threshold. Furthermore, the probability of detection is adopted to consider the uncertainties in detecting fatigue crack by using existing damage detection techniques. A multi-objective optimisation problem is proposed and solved by a genetic algorithm to determine the optimised inspection and maintenance strategy for the fatigue affected steel bridge members. The optimised strategy is achieved by minimizing the life-cycle cost, including the inspection, maintenance and failure costs, and maximizing the service life after necessary intervention. The number of intervention during the service life is also taken into account to investigate the relationship between the service life and the cost for maintenance. The results from numerical examples show that the proposed method can provide a useful approach for cost-effective inspection and maintenance strategy for fatigue affected steel bridges.