• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.439-455
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• 2019

A buffer is the major component of a high level radioactive waste repository. Due to their thermal conductivity and low permeability, bentonites have been considered as a key component of a buffer system in most countries. The deep geological condition generates ground water inflow and results in swelling pressure in the buffer and backfill. Investigation of swelling pressure of bentonite buffer is an important task for the safe disposal system. The swelling pressure that can be critical is affected by mechanical and hydro properties of the system. Therefore, in this study, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine the effect of hydro-mechanical (HM) behaviors in the MX-80 bentonite. Based on the results of the swelling pressure generation with HM model parameters, a coupled HM analysis of an unsaturated buffer and backfill in a deep geological repository was also carried out to investigate the major factor of the swelling pressure generation.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.199-209
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• 2002

We have carried out a nondestructive close examination for the purpose of the structural safety diagnosis of the Dabo Pagoda of Bulkuk temple located in Kyungju, Kyungbuk Korea. For estimating the mechanical properties of each rock block of the pagoda, ultrasonic measurements were conducted at 641 points of 255 blocks. The P-wave velocity ranges from 584m/sec through 5,169m/sec, and averages 2,901m/sec Based on this result, the uniaxial compressive strength was estimated to be $93{\sim}1,943kg/cm^2\;with\;396kg/cm^2$ of average, and the index of weathering is $0.07{\sim}0.88$ with 0.43 of average, which means the moderate degree of weathering. The comparison of the rock strength of each block with the overburden acting on the block reveals that the rock blocks related to the structure of the pagoda are relatively sound for uniform stress, but it is highly possible for a concentrated stress to lead to a partial failure. We suggest a monitoring of cracks due to the concentrated stress. The parapets of 1st and 2nd floors composed of small rock pieces are severely weathered. However, this is not directly related to the structural safety of the pagoda.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.501-504
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• 2003

The purpose of this work is to introduce some fundamental stereological concepts to quantify damage parameters using X-ray CT(Computed Tomography) in the scope of CDM(Continuum Damage Mechanics). X-ray CT is a completely nondestructive technique for visualizing features in the interior of opaque solid objects, and for obtaining digital information on their 3D geometries and properties. Many researchers have introduced lots of damage parameters to model the mechanical behavior of deteriorated materials. Those damage parameters can be represented in many forms such as specific void or crack surfaces, the spacing between cracks, the specific damaged surface area, the specific damaged surface area tensor, the mean solid path among the damaged surfaces and the mean solid path tensor. Despite of many accomplishments in CDM since there is no the systematic experiment, it have limitations in application. In this situation, X-ray computed tomography is highlited by many researchers and applied in a wide range of materials including rock, bone, ceramic, metal, soft tissue and concrete.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.61-68
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• 2006

Cemented Sand and Gravel(CSG) is a material made by simple mixing of rock-based raw materials such as excavated soil and riverbed gravel together with cement and water. The use of CSG methodl for cofferdam and large dam is gradually increasing in Japan because a quarry and aggregate plants can be diminished. Also, the CSG method can reduce dam construction cost, construction duration and destruction of environment. In this paper, field test and test construction of CSG method was conducted on Hwabuk Dam. The mechanical properties of CSG, such as compressive strength, extention strength and field permeability test were investigated. From the results of the experimental study, application study of CSG method was discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.273-275
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• 2002

In this studies, curing behavior and mechanical properties of tetrafunctional epoxy resin (4EP)/ fluorine-containing epoxy resin (FEP) blend systems was investigated with 4, 4'-diaminodiphenol methane (DDM) as a curing agent. The cure activation energies $(E_a)$) were studied by Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's equation with dynamic DSC method. For the fracture toughness of the casting specimens, the critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$) and the specific fracture energy ($G_{IC}$) were determined by fracture toughness test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2005

Foliated metamorphic, stratified sedimentary and regularity jointed rocks have properties(physical, mechanical) that vary with direction (${\beta}^{\circ}$) and are said to be anisotropic. The ground in Daegu area consists of shales, clastic sedimentary rocks. These shales have plane anisotropic or transversely isotropy characteristics. Engineering characteristics of shale in Daegu area are investigated by performing a series of rock test to the bedding(${\beta}$ =0, 30, 60, and 90 degrees). The results of tests show that the uniaxial compressive strength is a maximum at ${\beta}$ = 0, $90^{\circ}$ and is a minimum when ${\beta}$ is around 60 degree.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.155-168
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• 2009

Breakdown pressures obtained from the classic, linear elastic breakdown model are compared with the corresponding pressures obtained using a nonlinear material model. Compression test results obtained on sandstone and siltstone are used for that purpose together with previously formulated nonlinear model which introduces elasticity functions to address nonlinear stress-strain behaviour of rocks exhibiting stress-dependent mechanical properties. Linear and nonlinear collapse pressures are also compared and it is shown that material nonlinearities have significant effect on both breakdown and collapse pressures and on tangential stresses which control breakdown pressure around a borehole. This means that the estimates of ${\sigma}_H$ made using linear models give stress values which are different than the real values in the earth. Thus the importance of a more accurate analysis, such as provided by the nonlinear models, is emphasised. It is shown, however, that the linear elastic model does not necessarily over-predict borehole stresses and the opposite case can be true, depending on rock type and test interpretation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.1041-1048
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• 2021

An engineered barrier system (EBS) for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is composed of a disposal canister with spent fuel, a buffer material, a gap-filling material, and a backfill material. As the buffer is located in the empty space between the disposal canisters and the surrounding rock mass, it prevents the inflow of groundwater and retards the spill of radionuclides from the disposal canister. Due to the fact that the buffer gradually becomes saturated over a long time period, it is especially important to investigate its thermal-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) properties considering variations of saturated condition. Therefore, this paper suggests a new method of measuring thermal conductivity and water suction for single compacted bentonite at various levels of saturation. This paper also highlights a convenient method of saturating compacted bentonite. The proposed method was verified with a previous method by comparing thermal conductivity and water suction with respect to water content. The relative error between the thermal conductivity and water suction values obtained through the proposed method and the previous method was determined as within 5% for compacted bentonite with a given water content.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.30 no.8 s.251
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• pp.764-771
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• 2006

Knowledge of ground thermal properties is most important for the proper design of large BHE(borehole heat exchanger) systems. Thermal response tests with mobile measurement devices were first introduced in Sweden and USA in 1995. Thermal response tests have so far been used primarily for in insitu determination of design data for BHE systems, but also for evaluation of grout material, heat exchanger types and ground water effects. The main purpose has been to determine insitu values of effective ground thermal conductivity, including the effect of ground-water flow and natural convection in the boreholes. Test rig is set up on a small trailer, and contains a circulation pump, a heater, temperature sensors and a data logger for recording the temperature data. A constant heat power is injected into the borehole through the pipe system of test rig and the resulting temperature change in the borehole is recorded. The recorded temperature data are analysed with a line-source model, which gives the effective insitu values of rock thermal conductivity and borehole thermal resistance.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.9-12
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• 2010

A lamination system using reflow soldering was developed to enhance the mechanical properties of high temperature superconductor (HTS) tape. The laminated coated conductor tape was fabricated using the continuous lamination process. The mean, maximum, and minimum tensile loads in a T-peel test of the laminated coated conductor were 9.9 N, 12.5 N, and 7.6 N, respectively. The critical current ($I_c$) distributions of the non-laminated and laminated coated conductor were compared using anon-contact Hall probe method. The transport $I_c$ nearly matched the non-contact $I_c$; however, some degraded Ic regions were found on the length of 800 cm of laminated coated conductor. We confirmed that the cause of the partially degraded $I_c$ was due to an increase in line tension by (1) solidification induced by a change of composition that usually occurs in molten brass (Cu, Zn) in solder, or (2) non-homogeneity of the thickness of the coated conductor or metal tapes. We suggest that reflow soldering is a promising method for reinforced HTS tape if the controlling solder thickness and lamination guide are modified.