• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.35-49
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• 2014

This paper studies the behaviour of deteriorated reinforced concrete (RC) beams attacked by various forms of simulated acid rain. An artificial rainfall simulator was firstly designed and evaluated. Eleven RC beams ($120mm{\times}200mm{\times}1800mm$) were then constructed in the laboratory. Among them, one was acting as a reference beam and the others were subjected to three accelerated corrosion methods, including immersion, wetting-drying, and artificial rainfall methods, to simulate the attack of real acid rain. Acid solutions with pH levels of 1.5 and 2.5 were considered. Next, ultrasonic, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic, and three-point bending tests were performed to investigate the mechanical properties of concrete and flexural behaviour of the RC beams. It can be concluded that the designed artificial simulator can be effectively used to simulate the real acid rainfall. Both the immersion and wetting-drying methods magnify the effects of the real acid rainfall on the RC beams.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.50-54
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• 2018

Large-size graphene samples are successfully prepared by combining ultrosonic assisted liquid phase exfoliation process with oxidation-deoxidation method. Different from previous works, we used an ultrasound-treated expanded graphite as the raw material and prepared the graphene via a facile oxidation-reduction reaction. Results of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirm the crystal structure of the as-prepared graphene. Scanning electron microscopy images show that this kind of graphene has a large size (with a diameter over $100{\mu}m$), larger than the graphene from graphite powder and flake graphite prepared through single oxidation-deoxidation method. Transmission electron microscopy results also reveal the thin layers of the prepared graphene (number of layers ${\leq}3$). Furthermore, the importance of preprocessing the raw materials is also proven. Therefore, this method is an attractive way for preparing graphene with large size.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

ACF/ZnO photocatalyst was synthesized by a sol-gel method using activated carbon fiber (ACF) and Zn $(NO_3)_2$ as precursors. Samples were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements (BET), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The XRD results showed that ACF/ZnO composites only included a hexagonal phase by heat-treated temperature at $400^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$, $600^{\circ}C$, and $700^{\circ}C$. The SEM analysis revealed that the ACF/ZnO composites did not exhibit any morphological changes of the catalyst surface according to the different heat-treated temperatures. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was tested for degradation of methylene blue (MB) solutions under ultraviolet (UV) light and ultrasonication respectively. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of ACF/ZnO composites heat-treated at $500^{\circ}C$ was higher than other samples, which is ascribed to the fine distribution of ZnO particles on the surface of the ACF. In addition, an ultrasound of low power (50 W) was used as an irradiation source to successfully induce ACF/ZnO composites to perform sonocatalytic degradation of MB. Results indicated that the sonocatalytic method in the presence of ACF/ZnO composites is an advisable choice for the treatments of organic dyes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.418-430
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• 2012

The present paper reviews the micro and nano nondestructive evaluation(NDE) technique that is possible to investigate the surface and measure the acoustic properties. The technical theory, features and applications of the ultrasonic atomic force microscopy(UAFM) and scanning acoustic microscopy(SAM) are illustrated. Especially, these technologies are possible to evaluate the mechanical properties in micro/nano structure and surface through the measurement of acoustic properties in addition to the observation of surface and subsurface. Consequently, it is thought that technique developments and applications of these micro/nano NDE in advanced industrial parts together with present nondestructive industry are widely possible hereafter.

• Proceedings of the Korea Committee for Ocean Resources and Engineering Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.41-45
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• 2006

The fabrication process of fiber placement system of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) requires real time process control and reliable inspection to ensure quality by preventing defects such as delamination and void. Therefore, novel non-contact inspection technique is required during the non-destructive evaluation in a fiber placement system. For the inspection of delamination in CFRP, various methods to receive laser-generated ultrasound were applied by using piezoelectric transducer, air-coupled transducer, wavelet transform and scanning laser ultrasonic technique. Laser-generated ultrasound was received with a conventional piezoelectric sensor in contacting manner. Then signal characteristics due to defects were analyzed to find a factor for detecting defects. Air-coupled transducer was used for reception of laser-generated guided wave using linear slit array in order to generate high frequency guided wave. And line scan technique was used to confirm the capability of on-line application. The high frequency component of laser-generated guided wave received with piezoelectric sensor disappeared after propagating through delamination region. Nevertheless, it was failed to receive high frequency guided wave in using air-coupled transducer. The first peak of the frequency spectrum under 100kHz in the delamination region is higher than in the sound region. By using this feature, the line scanned frequency data were acquired in fully non-contact generation and reception of ultrasound. This method was proved as useful technique for detecting delamination in CFRP.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.203-218
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• 2020

This research paper presents the outcomes in terms of mechanical and microstructural characteristics of binary and ternary concrete when exposed to elevated temperature. Three parameter were taken into account, (a) elevated temperature (i.e., 200, 400, 600 and 800℃) (b) binary concrete with cementitious material sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) replacement percentage (i.e., 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) and (c) ternary concrete with cementitious material SCBA and GGBFS replacement percentage (i.e., 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%). A total of 285 standard cube specimens (150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm) containing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), SCBA, and GGBFS were made. These specimens then exposed to several elevated temperatures for 2 h, afterword is allowed to cool at room temperature. The following basic physical, mechanical, and microstructural characteristics were then determined and discussed. (a) mass loss ratio, (b) ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) (c) physical behavior, (d) compressive strength, and (e) field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). It was found that compressive strength increases up to 400℃; beyond this temperature, it decreases. UPV value and massloss decrease with increase in temperature as well as the change in color and crack were observed at a higher temperature.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.239-262
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• 2010

Tube Lines has carried out a "knowledge and investigation programme" on the deep tube tunnels comprising the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, as required by the PPP contract with London Underground. Many of the tunnels have been in use for over 100 years, so this assessment was considered essential to the future safe functioning of the system. This programme has involved a number of generic investigations which guide the assessment methodology and the analysis of some 5,000 individual structures. A significant amount of investigation has been carried out, including ultrasonic thickness measurement, detection of brickwork laminations using radar, stress measurement using magnetic techniques, determination of soil parameters using CPT, pressuremeter and laboratory testing, installation of piezometers, material and tunnel segment testing, and trialling of remote photographic techniques for inspection of large tunnels and shafts. Vibrating wire, potentiometer, electro level, optical and fibre-optic monitoring has been used, and laser measurement and laser scanning has been employed to measure tunnel circularity. It is considered that there is scope for considerable improvements in non-destructive testing technology for structural assessment in particular, and some ideas are offered as a "wish-list". Assessment reports have now been produced for all assets forming Tube Lines' deep tube tunnel network. For assets which are non-compliant with London Underground standards, the risk to the operating railway has to be maintained as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) using enhanced inspection and monitoring, or repair where required. Monitoring techniques have developed greatly during recent years and further advances will continue to support the economic whole life asset management of infrastructure networks.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.167-180
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• 1991

The purpose of theis study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonic instrumentation in removing debris and smear layer from the root canal walls. 54 extracted, permanent single rooted teeth were randomly divided into 6 groups of 9 teeth. After canal preparation, the teeth were longitudinally sectioned. The sepcimens were then naturally dried for 2 days, given a maximun thickness gold coating, and examined under the SEM (JSM-35C type, JAPAN). Photographs of all specimens were then taken of the middle and the apical third of the root canal wall. The results were as follows: 1. In all groups, debris and the smear layer were not completely removed from the canal wall 2. There were no significant differences between at the apical third and at the middle third in removing debris and the smear layer in all groups. 3. There were no significant difference between the step - back group and the ultrasound group in removing debris and smear layer. 4. In general, the step - back/ultrasonund groups showed greater canal debridement than the step - back group or ultrasound group. 5. The step - back/ultrasound group with a No. 25 file for 3 min. showed significantly greater canal debridement than the step-back group (p<0.05), or the other step - back/ultrasound groups(p<0.05).

• Composites Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-6
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• 2005

Carbon nanofiber exhibits superior and of ien unique characteristics of mechanical, electrical, chemical and thermal properties. Despite of the excellent properties of carbon nanofiber, the properties of carbon nanofiber filled polymer composites were not increased largely. The reason is that it is still difficult to ensure the uniform dispersion of carbon nanofiber in a polymer matrix. In this study, for improvement of the mechanical properties of composites, carbon nanofiber reinforced hybrid composites was investigated. For the dispersion of carbon nanofiber. solution blending method using ultrasonic was used. Dispersion of carbon nanoifiber was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEH). Mechanical properties were measured by universal testing machine(UTM).

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.89-105
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• 2016

The post - fire investigation is conducted on a fire-affected reinforced concrete shear wall building to ascertain the level of its strength degradation due to the fire incident. Fire incident took place in a three-storey building made of reinforced concrete shear wall and roof with operating floors made of steel beams and chequered plates. The usage of the building is to handle explosives. Elevated temperature during the fire is estimated to be $350^{\circ}C$ based on visual inspection. Destructive (core extraction) and non-destructive (rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity) tests are conducted to evaluate the concrete strength. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) are used for analyzing micro structural changes of the concrete due to fire. Tests are conducted for concrete walls and roof slab on both burnt and unburnt locations. The analysis of test results reveals no significant degradation of the building after the fire which signifies that the structure can be used with full expectancy of performance for the remaining service life. This document can be used as a reference for future forensic investigations of similar fire affected concrete structures.