• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2016

PURPOSES : This study primarily focused on evaluating the performance characteristics of 4.75-mm nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) asphalt mixtures for their more effective implementation to a layered flexible pavement system. METHODS : The full-scale pavements in the FDOT's accelerated pavement testing (APT) program, including 4.75-mm mixtures at the top with different thicknesses and asphalt binder types, were considered for the faster and more realistic evaluation of the rutting performance. The results of superpave indirect tensile (IDT) tests and hot-mix asphalt fracture mechanics (HMA-FM) based model predictions were used for cracking performance assessments. RESULTS : The results indicated that the rutting performance of pavement structures with 4.75-mm mixtures may not be as good as to those with the typical 12.5-mm mixtures, and pavement rutting was primarily confined to the top layer of 4.75-mm mixtures. This was likely due to the relatively higher mixture instability and lower shear resistance compared to 12.5-mm mixtures. The energy ratio (ER) and HMA-FM based model performance prediction results showed a potential benefit of 4.75-mm mixtures in enhanced cracking resistance. CONCLUSIONS : In relation to their implementation, the best use of 4.75-mm mixtures seem to be as a surface course for low-traffic-volume applications. These mixtures can also be properly used as a preservation treatment that does not necessarily last as long as 12.5-mm NMAS structural mixes. It is recommended that adequate thicknesses and binder types be considered for the proper application of a 4.75-mm mixture in asphalt pavements to effectively resist both rutting and cracking.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.35-41
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• 2007

In kinetic spraying process, the critical velocity is an important criterion which determines the deposition of a feedstock particle onto the substrate. In other studies, it was experimentally and numerically proven that the critical velocity is determined by the physical and mechanical properties and the state of materials such as initial temperature, size and the extent of oxidation. Compared to un-oxidized feedstock, oxidized feedstock required a greater kinetic energy of in-flight particle to break away oxide film during impact. The oxide film formed on the surface of particle and substrate is of a relatively higher brittleness and hardness than those of general metals. Because of its physical characteristics, the oxide significantly affected the deposition behavior and critical velocity. In this study, in order to investigate the effects of oxidation on the deposition behavior and critical velocity of feedstock, oxygen contents of Al feedstock were artificially controlled, individual particle impact tests were carried out and the velocities of in-flight Al feedstock was measured for a wide range of process gas conditions. As a result, as the oxygen contents of Al feedstock increased, the critical velocity increased.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.17 no.3 s.68
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• pp.175-185
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• 2007

When filling material such as clay is included along the discontinuity, it may cause instability on a slope even if the direction of discontinuity works in a positive way. In the study area, slope sliding occurred at the boundary between a clay filling material and weathered soil because the physical properties differ across the boundary; and this is very similar to the situation where foliation in a rock works as a weak zone during a structural behavior, causing an inter-layer slip. In most analysis, if there exists a clay filling material, a single discontinuity is assumed to perform analysis. In those cases, the discontinuity is modeled as a slip surface within clay. Therefore, the characteristics of the boundary are not considered in the analysis, so that ultimately the physical property of clay usually prevails. The result of evaluating the slope stability affected by clay filling material shows the significant difference in the safety level due to the strength parameter depending on the failure type of the discontinuity by a filling material.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.44-57
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• 2011

In general, heavy rainfall in Korea is mostly associated with inflow of 850hPa low-level jet. It transports abundant heat and moisture flux to the Changma front. In this study, synoptic characteristics of heavy rainfall in Korea from a case study is examined by classifying heavy rainfall cases with synoptic patterns, in particular distribution of upper- and low-level jets, western North Pacific high, and moisture flux. The surface and upper-level weather charts including auxiliary analysis chart and radar and satellite images obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration, and 500hPa geopotential heights from NCEP/NCAR are used and then KLAPS is applied to understand the local atmospheric structure associated with heavy rainfall. Results show that maximum frequency in 60 heavy rainfall cases with more than 150mm/day appears in the Changma type of 43 cases (a proportion in relation to a whole is 52%) including the combined Changma types with typhoon and cyclone. As indicated in previous studies, most heavy rainfall cases are related to inflow of low-level jet. In addition, synoptic characteristics based on the analyses of weather charts, radar and satellite images, and KLAPS in heavy rainfall case of 12 July, 2009 reveal that the atmospheric vertical structure in particular equivalent potential temperature favorable for effective inflow of warm and moist southwesterly into the Changma front is linked to large potential instability and the strong convergence accompanied with low-level jet around Suwon contributes to atmospheric upsliding along the Changma front, producing heavy rainfall.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.463-473
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• 2019

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has proved to be an effective tool in applied environmental nanotechnology, where the decreased particle diameter provides a drastic change in the properties and efficiency of nanomaterials used in water purification. However, the agglomeration and colloidal instability represent a problematic and a remarkable reduction in nZVI reactivity. In view of that, this study reports a simple and cost-effective new strategy for ultra-small (< 7.5%) distributed functionalized nZVI-EG (1-9 nm), with high colloidal stability and reduction capacity. These were obtained without inert conditions, using a simple, economical synthesis methodology employing two stabilization mechanisms based on the use of non-aqueous solvent (methanol) and ethylene glycol (EG) as a stabilizer. The information from UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggests iron ion coordination by interaction with methanol molecules. Subsequently, after nZVI formation, particle-surface modification occurs by the addition of the EG. Size distribution analysis shows an average diameter of 4.23 nm and the predominance (> 90%) of particles with sizes < 6.10 nm. Evaluation of the stability of functionalized nZVI by sedimentation test and a dynamic light-scattering technique, demonstrated very high colloidal stability. The ultra-small particles displayed a rapid and high nitrate removal capacity from water.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.353-362
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• 2019

Soil-rock mixture (S-RM) is an inhomogeneous geomaterial that is widely encountered in nature. The mechanical and physical properties of S-RM are important factors contributing towards different deformation characteristics and unstable modes of the talus slope. In this paper, the equivalent substitution method was employed for the preparation of S-RM test samples, and large-scale triaxial laboratory tests were conducted to investigate their mechanical parameters by varying the water content and confining pressure. Additionally, a simplified geological model based on the finite element method was established to compare the stability of talus slopes with different strength parameters and in different excavation and support processes. The results showed that the S-RM samples exhibit slight strain softening and strain hardening under low and high water content, respectively. The water content of S-RM also had an effect on decreasing strength parameters, with the decrease in magnitude of the cohesive force and internal friction angle being mainly influenced by the low and high water content, respectively. The stability of talus slope decreased with a decrease in the cohesion force and internal friction angle, thereby creating a new shallow slip surface. Since the excavation of toe of the slope for road construction can easily cause a landslide, anti-slide piles can be used to effectively improve the slope stability, especially for shallow excavations. But the efficacy of anti-slide piles gradually decreases with increasing water content. This paper can act as a reference for the selection of strength parameters of S-RM and provide an analysis of the instability of the talus slope.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Shallow failures occur frequently in both engineered and natural slopes in expansive soils. Rainfall infiltration is the most predominant triggering factor that contributes to slope failures in both expansive soils and clayey soils. However, slope failures in expansive soils have some distinct characteristics in comparison to slopes in conventional clayey soils. They typically undergo shallow failures with gentle sliding retrogression characteristics. The shallow sliding mass near the slope surface is typically in a state of unsaturated condition and will exhibit significant volume changes with increasing water content during rainfall periods. Many other properties or characteristics change such as the shear strength, matric suction including stress distribution change with respect to depth and time. All these parameters have a significant contribution to the expansive soil slopes instability and are difficult to take into consideration in slope stability analysis using traditional slope stability analysis methods based on principles of saturated soil mechanics. In this paper, commercial software VADOSE/W that can account for climatic factors is used to predict variation of matric suction with respect to time for an expansive soil cut slope in China, which is reported in the literature. The variation of factor of safety with respect to time for this slope is computed using SLOPE/W by taking account of shear strength reduction associated with loss of matric suction extending state-of-the art understanding of the mechanics of unsaturated soils.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.285-298
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• 2019

For super long-span bridges, the aerodynamic forces induced by the flow passing the box girder should be considered carefully. And the Reynolds number sensitively of aerodynamic characteristics is one of considerable issue. In the study, a numerical study on the Reynolds number sensitivity of aerodynamic characteristic (flow pattern, pressure distribution and aerodynamic forces) of a twin-box girder were carried out using large eddy simulation (LES) with the dynamic Smagorinsky-Lilly subgrid model. The results show that the aerodynamic characteristics have strong correlation with the Reynolds number. At the leading edge, the flow experiences attachment, departure, and reattachment stages accompanying by the laminar transition into turbulence, causing pressure plateaus to form on the surface, and the pressure plateaus gradually shrinks. Around the gap, attributing that the flow experiences stages of laminar cavity flow, the wake with alternate shedding vortices, and turbulent cavity flow in sequence with an increase in the Reynolds number, the pressures around the gap vary greatly with the Reynold number. At the trailing edge, the pressure gradually recovers as the flow transits to turbulence (the flow undergoes wake instability, shear layer transition-reattachment station), In addition, at relative high Reynolds numbers, the drag force almost does not change, however, the lift force coefficient gradually decreases with an increase in Reynolds number.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.256-265
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• 2021

Background: Individuals with scapular winging may have proprioceptive dysfunction which is important for motor control and causes shoulder instability. Reduced serratus anterior (SA) and lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity accompanied by over-active upper trapezius (UT), and pectoralis major (PM) may be contributing factors. Flexi-bar (FB) exercise may be used to increase joint position sense (JPS) and alter the target muscle activities. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of flexi-bar exercise prior to knee push-up plus (FPK) versus knee push-up plus (KPP) on JPS and muscle activity of SA, LT, UT, and PM in subjects with scapular winging. Methods: Eighteen subjects with scapular winging were recruited. JPS was investigated at baseline, after KPP and after FPK. Passive and active JPS errors were calculated by isokinetic equipment. Surface electromyography was used to record muscle activities during KPP and FPK. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc analyses were used to analyze the JPS error measured at baseline, after KPP and after FPK. Paired t-tests were used to compare muscle activities between KPP and FPK. Results: Passive JPS error was significantly decreased after KPP (p = 0.005) and after FPK (p = 0.003) compared to the baseline. Active JPS error was also significantly decreased after KPP (p = 0.016) and after FPK (p = 0.012) compared to the baseline. There was no significant difference in the passive and active JPS errors between KPP and FPK. SA activity during FPK was significantly increased (p = 0.024), and LT activity during FPK was significantly increased (p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in the UT and PM activity. Conclusion: FB might be recommended to immediately improve passive and active JPS and to selectively increase SA and LT muscle activities during KPP in individuals with scapular winging.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2022

Tall buildings are often subjected to steady and unsteady forces due to external wind flows. Measurement and mitigation of these forces becomes critical to structural design in engineering applications. Over the last few decades, many approaches such as modification of the external geometry of structures have been investigated to mitigate wind-induced load. One such proven geometric modification involved the rounding of sharp corners. In this work, we systematically analyze the impact of rounded corner radii on the reducing the flow-induced loading on a square cylinder. We perform 3-Dimensional (3D) simulations for high Reynolds number flows (Re=1 × 105) which are more likely to be encountered in practical applications. An Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) method capable of capturing flow accurately at large Reynolds numbers is employed in this study. The IDDES formulation uses a k-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) model for near-wall modelling that prevents mesh-induced separation of the boundary layer. The effects of these corner modifications are analyzed in terms of the resulting variations in the mean and fluctuating components of the aerodynamic forces compared to a square cylinder with no geometric changes. Plots of the angular distribution of the mean and fluctuating coefficient of pressure along the square cylinder's surface illustrate the effects of corner modifications on the different parts of the cylinder. The windward corner's separation angle was observed to decrease with an increase in radius, resulting in a narrower and longer recirculation region. Furthermore, with an increase in radius, a reduction in the fluctuating lift, mean drag, and fluctuating drag coefficients has been observed.