• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.237-250
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• 2015

Underground structures such as a tunnel have been considered as safer than structures on the ground during earthquake. However, severe damages of underground structures occurred at subway tunnel during 1995 Kobe Earthquake and such damages are gradually increased. In this study, a dynamic behavior of a cut and cover tunnel surrounded by weathered soils is investigated using Mohr-Coulomb Model. Parametric study was carried out for boundary conditions, tensile strength, and earthquake magnitudes. The results of numerical analyses in terms of ground deformations and stresses acting on the lining were quite dependent on the side boundary condition (free or fix conditions) and tensile strength of surrounding soils. The ground was deformed upward at the end of earthquake when the side boundary condition was fixed, whereas residual deformations were not predicted when it was free. When the tensile strength of a soil was set to the same as its cohesion, residual deformation was less than 1cm, regardless of side boundary conditions or input accelerations. In addition to that, stress conditions at the maximum deformation and end of earthquake were within an allowable range and considered as safe. Proper boundary conditions and material properties such as tensile strength are quite important because they may significantly impact on the results of dynamic analyses.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.417-428
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• 2023

The demolition of domestic infrastructures mirrors other significant construction initiatives in presenting a markedly high accident rate. A comprehensive investigation into the origins of such accidents is crucial for the prevention of future incidents. Upon detailed inspection, the causes of demolition construction accidents are multifarious, encompassing unsafe worker behavior, hazardous conditions, psychological and physical states, and site management deficiencies. While statistics relating to demolition construction accidents are consistently collated and reported, there exists an exigent need for a more foundational cause categorization system based on accident type. Drawing from Heinrich's Domino Theory, this study classifies the origins of accidents(unsafe behavior, unsafe conditions) and human errors(human factors) as per the type of accidents experienced during demolition construction. In this study, a three-step model of QFD-FMEA(Quality Function Deployment - Failure Mode Effect Analysis) is employed to systematically categorize accident causes according to the types of accidents that occur during demolition construction. The QFD-FMEA method offers a technique for cause classification at each stage of the demolition process, including direct causes(unsafe behavior, unsafe environment), and human errors(human factors) through a tri-stage process. The results of this accident cause classification can serve as safety knowledge and reference checklists for accident prevention efforts.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2014

North Korea's uranium enrichment facility is a matter of international concern. It is of particular alarming to South Korea with regard to the security and safety of the country. This situation requires continuous monitoring of the DPRK and emergency preparedness on the part of the ROK. To assess the detectability of an undeclared uranium enrichment plant in North Korea, uranium concentrations in the air at both a short and a long distance from the enrichment facility were estimated. $UF_6$ source terms were determined by using existing information on North Korean facility and data from the operation experience of enrichment plants from other countries. Using the calculated source terms, two atmospheric dispersion models (Gaussian Plume Model and HYSPLIT models) and meteorological data were used to estimate the uranium particle concentrations from the Yongbyon enrichment facility. A maximum uranium concentration and its location are dependent upon the meteorological conditions and the height of the UF6 release point. This study showed that the maximum uranium concentration around the enrichment facility was about $1.0{\times}10^{-7}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$. The location of the maximum concentration was within about 0.4 km of the facility. It has been assumed that the uranium sample of about a few micrograms (${\mu}g$) could be obtained; and that few micrograms of uranium can be easily measured with current measurement instruments. On the contrary, a uranium concentration at a distance of more than 100 kilometers from the enrichment facility was estimated to be about $1.0{\times}10^{-13}{\sim}1.0{\times}10^{-15}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$, which is less than back-ground level. Therefore, based on the results of our paper, an air sample taken within the vicinity of the Yongbyon enrichment facility could be used to determine as to whether or not North Korea is carrying out an undeclared nuclear program. However, the air samples taken at a longer distance of a few hundred kilometers would prove difficult in detecting a clandestine nuclear activities.