• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-83
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• 2009

Shotcrete is an important primary support for tunnelling in rock. The quality control of shotcrete is a core issue in the safe construction and maintenance of tunnels. Although shotcrete may be applied well initially onto excavated rock surfaces, it is affected by blasting, rock deformation and shrinkage and can debond from the excavated surface, causing problems such as corrosion, buckling, fracturing and the creation of internal voids. This study suggests an effective non-destructive evaluation method of the tunnel shotcrete bonding state applied onto hard rocks using the impact-echo (IE) method and ground penetration radar (GPR). To verify previous numerical simulation results, experimental study carried out. Generally, the bonding state of shotcrete can be classified into void, debonded, and fully bonded. In the laboratory, three different bonding conditions were modeled. The signals obtained from the experimental IE tests were analyzed at the time domain, frequency domain, and time-frequency domain (i.e., the Short- Time Fourier transform). For all cases in the analyses, the experimental test results were in good agreement with the previous numerical simulation results, verifying this approach. Both the numerical and experimental results suggest that the bonding state of shotcrete can be evaluated through changes in the resonance frequency and geometric damping ratio in a frequency domain analysis, and through changes in the contour shape and correlation coefficient in a time-frequency analysis: as the bonding state worsens in hard rock condition, the autospectral density increases, the geometric damping ratio decreases, and the contour shape in the time-frequency domain has a long tail parallel to the time axis. The correlation coefficient can be effectively applied for a quantitative evaluation of bonding state of tunnel shotcrete. Finally, the bonding state of shotcrete can be successfully evaluated based on the process suggested in this study.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2023

The demand for cement and limestone crushed materials has increased many folds due to the tremendous increase in construction activities in Pakistan during the past few decades. The number of cement production industries has increased correspondingly, and so the rock-blasting operations at the limestone quarry sites. However, the safety procedures warranted at these sites for the blast-induced ground vibrations (BIGV) have not been adequately developed and/or implemented. Proper prediction and monitoring of BIGV are necessary to ensure the safety of structures in the vicinity of these quarry sites. In this paper, an attempt has been made to predict BIGV using artificial neural network (ANN) at three selected limestone quarries of Pakistan. The ANN has been developed in Python using Keras with sequential model and dense layers. The hyper parameters and neurons in each of the activation layers has been optimized using randomized and grid search method. The input parameters for the model include distance, a maximum charge per delay (MCPD), depth of hole, burden, spacing, and number of blast holes, whereas, peak particle velocity (PPV) is taken as the only output parameter. A total of 110 blast vibrations datasets were recorded from three different limestone quarries. The dataset has been divided into 85% for neural network training, and 15% for testing of the network. A five-layer ANN is trained with Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation function, Adam optimization algorithm with a learning rate of 0.001, and batch size of 32 with the topology of 6-32-32-256-1. The blast datasets were utilized to compare the performance of ANN, multivariate regression analysis (MVRA), and empirical predictors. The performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean squared error (RMSE)for predicted and measured PPV. To determine the relative influence of each parameter on the PPV, sensitivity analyses were performed for all input parameters. The analyses reveal that ANN performs superior than MVRA and other empirical predictors, andthat83% PPV is affected by distance and MCPD while hole depth, number of blast holes, burden and spacing contribute for the remaining 17%. This research provides valuable insights into improving safety measures and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings near limestone quarry sites.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2024

Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to create an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) guide for high-risk maintenance tasks, specifically one designed for maintenance work (MW) in the electronics industry. Methods: The methodology involved a literature review, field investigations, and discussions. An initial draft of the OSH guide was created and then refined through consultations with experts possessing extensive experience in MW for electronic processes. Results: Specific MW tasks within electronics processing facilities identified as high-risk by the research were selected. A comprehensive OSH guide for these tasks was developed consisting of approximately 11 to 12 components and encompassing about 20-25 pages. Implementing safety and health measures before, during, and after MW is crucial for the protection of maintenance personnel. The guide is enriched with real-case scenarios of industrial accidents and occupational diseases to enhance maintenance workers' comprehension of the OSH principles. For a clearer understanding of and adherence to the safety protocols, the guide incorporates visual aids, including cartoons and photographs. Conclusions: This OSH guide is designed to ensure the protection of workers involved in maintenance activities in the electronics industry. It aligns with global standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Semiconductor Equipment and Material International (SEMI) to ensure a high level of safety and compliance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine characteristics of implant surface with RBM and anodizing treatments, and to evaluate the responses of osteoblast-like cell (MG-63 cell). Materials and methods: Grade IV titanium disks were fabricated (Diameter 10 mm, thickness 3 mm). Anodizing treatment (ASD) group, RBM and anodizing treatment (RBM/ASD) group, control (machined surface) group were divided. In this study, osteoblast-like cell was used for experiments. The experiments consist of surface characteristics evaluation by FE-SEM images, energy dispersive spectroscopy and stereo-SEM. In order to evaluate cell adhesion evaluation by crystal violet assay and observe cells form by confocal laser microscopy. To assess cell proliferation by XTT assay, cell differentiation by RT-PCR and mineralization by Alizarin red S stain assay. ELISA analyzer was used for Quantitative evaluation. Comparative analysis was run by one-way ANOVA (SPSS version 18.0). Differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. Results: In ASD group and RBM/ASD group, the surface shape of the crater was observed and components of oxygen and phosphate ions in comparison with the control group were detected. The surface average roughness was obtained $0.08{\pm}0.04{\mu}m$ in the control group, $0.52{\pm}0.14{\mu}m$ in ASD group and $1.45{\pm}0.25{\mu}m$ in RBM/ASD group. In cell response experiments, ASD group and RBM/ASD group were significantly higher values than control group in cell adhesion and mineralization phase, control group was the highest values in the proliferative phase. In RT-PCR experiments, RBM/ASD group was showed higher ALP activity than other groups. RBM/ASD group in comparison with ASD group was significantly higher value for cell adhesion and proliferation phase. Conclusion: In the limitation of this study, we are concluded that the surface treatment with RBM/ASD seems more effective than ASD alone or machined surface on cellular response.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2012

A Macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials is commonly referred to as a "Composite Material", having been designed mechanically and chemically superior in function and characteristic than its individual constituent materials. Composite materials are used not only for aerospace and military, but also heavily used in boat/ship building and general composite industries which we are seeing increasingly more. Regardless of the various applications for composite materials, the industry is still limited and requires better fabrication technology and methodology in order to expand and grow. An example of this is that the majority of fabrication facilities nearby still use an antiquated wet lay-up process where fabrication still requires manual hand labor in a 3D environment impeding productivity of composite product design advancement. As an expert in the advanced composites field, I have developed fabrication skills with the use of machinery based on my past composite experience. In autumn 2011, the Korea government confirmed to fund my project. It is the development of a composite sanding machine. I began development of this semi-robotic prototype beginning in 2009. It has possibilities of replacing or augmenting the exhaustive and difficult jobs performed by human hands, such as sanding, grinding, blasting, and polishing in most often, very awkward conditions, and is also will boost productivity, improve surface quality, cut abrasive costs, eliminate vibration injuries, and protect workers from exposure to dust and airborne contamination. Ease of control and operation of the equipment in or outside of the sanding room is a key benefit to end-users. It will prove to be much more economical than normal robotics and minimize errors that commonly occur in factories. The key components and their technologies are a 360 degree rotational shoulder and a wrist that is controlled under PLC controller and joystick manual mode. Development on both of the key modules is complete and are now operational. The Korean government fund boosted my development and I expect to complete full scale development no later than 3rd quarter 2012. Even with the advantages of composite materials, there is still the need to repair or to maintain composite products with a higher level of technology. I have learned many composite repair skills on composite airframe since many composite fabrication skills including repair, requires training for non aerospace applications. The wind energy market is now requiring much larger blades in order to generate more electrical energy for wind farms. One single blade is commonly 50 meters or longer now. When a wind blade becomes damaged from external forces, on-site repair is required on the columns even under strong wind and freezing temperature conditions. In order to correctly obtain polymerization, the repair must be performed on the damaged area within a very limited time. The use of pre-impregnated glass fabric and heating silicone pad and a hot bonder acting precise heating control are surely required.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of the implant recipient site preparation methods on primary stability of implants with the instruments of $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Periotest^{(R)}$ in the iliac bone of cadaver. Methods and materials: The 8 iliac bones in 4 cadavers and implants treated with resorbable blasting media (RBM) were used. $Periotest^{(R)}$ (Simens AG, Germany) and $Osstell^{TM}$ (Model 6 Resonance Frequency Analyser: Integration Diagnostics Ltd., Sweden) were used to measure primary stability of implants. Implants were inserted into the iliac crest of the cadaver. In control group, the recipient site was prepared according to the manufacturer's recommendation: 1.8 mm guide drill, 2.0 mm initial drill, 2.7 mm pilot drill, 2.7 mm twist drill, 3.0 mm twist drill, 3.3 mm pilot drill, 3.3 mm twist drill, and 3.3 mm countersink drill as well as tapping drill were used in order. In the group 1, implant recipient sites were prepared by sequentially drilling from 1.8 mm guide drill to 3.0 mm twist drill and then inserted implants without countersinking and tapping. In the group 2, implant recipient sites were prepared to 3.0 mm twist drill and countersink drill and then inserted implants without tapping. In the group 3, the sites were prepared to 3.0 mm twist drill and countersink drill as well as tapping drill. In the group 4, the sites were prepared to 3.3 mm twist drill. In the group 5, the sites were prepared to 3.3 mm twist drill and countersink drill. A total of 60 implants were placed (n=10). The stability was measured using $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Periotest^{(R)}$ mesiodistally and buccolingually. To compare the mean stability of each group statistically, One-way ANOVA was used and correlation of instrument were analyzed using SPSS 12.0. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The stability of group 1 measured using $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Periotest^{(R)}$ buccolingually showed the highest, and there are significant difference statistically between control group and experimental group 1,2,4 in each instruments respectively (p<0.05). 2. The stability of group 1 measured using $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Periotest^{(R)}$ mesiodistally showed the highest. There are significant difference statistically between control group and all experimental groups in $Osstell^{TM}$, and between control group and experimental group 1,2,3,4 (p<0.05). 3. There are high correlation between the measurements of $Osstell^{TM}$ and $Periotest^{(R)}$ (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that the primary stability of implant can be obtained by the recipient sites preparation with smaller diameter drill than that of implant or minimal drilling.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.668-682
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• 2017

Alignments of railways recently constructed in Korea have been straightened due to the advent of high-speed rail, which means increasing the numbers of tunnels and bridges. Overbreak during tunnel construction may be unavoidable, and is very influential on overall stability. Over-excavation in tunneling is also one of the most important factors in construction costs. Overbreak problems around crown areas have decreased with improvements of excavation methods, but overbreak problems around bottom areas have not decreased because those areas are not very influential on tunnel stability compared with crown areas. The filling costs of 10 cm thickness of overbreak at the bottom of a tunnel are covered under construction costs by Korea Railway Authority regulations, but filling costs for more than the covered thickness are considered losses of construction cost. The filling material for overbreak bottoms of tunnels should be concrete, but concrete and mixed granular materials with fractured rock are also used for some sites. Tunnels in which granular materials with fractured rock are used may have a discontinuous section under the concrete slab track. The discontinuous section influences the propagation of waves generated from train operation. When the bottom of a tunnel is filled with only concrete material, the bottom of the tunnel can be considered as a continuous section, in which the waves generated from a train may propagate without reflection waves. However, a discontinuous section filled with mixed granular materials may reflect waves, which can cause resonance of vibration. The filled materials and vibration propagation characteristics are studied in this research. Tunnel bottom filling materials that have ratios of granular material to concrete of 5.0 %, 11.5 %, and 18.0 % are investigated. Samples were made and tested to determine their material properties. Static numerical analyses were performed using the FEM program under train operation load; test results were found to satisfy the stability requirements. However, dynamic analysis results show that some mixed ratios may generate resonance vibration from train operation at certain speeds.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2008

This purpose of this study was to examine the effect of planting density, growing medium and strength of a nutrient solution (National Horticultural Research Institute's nutrient solution: HRI's) on the growth and development of Oriental hybrid lily 'Le Reve' in a box cultivation. The planting density with 14, 18 and 22 bulbs had sprouting one day earlier than other treatments. Planting density of 22 bulbs flowered first, while six bulbs flowered the last, indicating that higher planting densities led earlier flowering. The increasing planting density increased stem length of cut flowers. On the other hand, cut flower quality was improved when the planting density was lower. The incidence of physiological disorders such as blasting was more frequent in planting density of 22, 18, and 14, indicating that higher planting densities caused higher incidences of physiological disorders. All planting densities except 22 bulbs displayed superior results in width, weight, number, and scale weight of the bulbs. Greater planting densities led to inferior bulb enlargement and an increased decomposition rate. pH decreased in all treatments after the bulb enlargement and decreased more as the planting density increased. Contents of P, K, Ca, and Mg increased, while contents of K and Ca decreased, as the planting density increased. The rice hull+coir (1:1, v/v) treatment was better than others, but did not show that much of a difference. Moreover, in bulbs enlargement after cut flower harvest, lily medium and perlite+peat moss treatments showed superior results, and decomposition rate was the greatest in the rice hull+coir (1:1, v/v) treatment. In the HRI's solution strength treatment from the period of flower bud emergence to flower harvest, higher solution strengths gave better cut flower quality in terns of length, weight, and number of flowers. The non-treated control and one third strength of a HRI's solution hastened flowering, indicating that lower strengths led to earlier flowering. According to the results of leaf analysis as affected by solution strength during the flower harvest, absorption rates of N and K were greater when the strength was higher, and Ca and Mg showed the same tendency. On the other hand, the absorption rate of P was the lowest in all treatments.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.531-542
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• 2021

Open-pit mines require constant monitoring as they can cause surface changes and environmental disturbances. In open-pit mines, there is little vegetation at the mining site and can be monitored using InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) coherence imageries. In this study, activities occurring in mine were analyzed by applying the recently developed InSAR coherence-based NDAI (Normalized Difference Activity Index). The March 5 Youth Mine is a North Korean mine whose development has been expanded since 2008. NDAI analysis was performed with InSAR coherence imageries obtained using Sentinel-1 SAR images taken at 12-day intervals in the March 5 Youth Mine. First, the area where the elevation decreased by about 75.24 m and increased by about 9.85 m over the 14 years from 2000 was defined as the mining site and the tailings piles. Then, the NDAI images were used for time series analysis at various time intervals. Over the entire period (2017-2019), average mining activity was relatively active at the center of the mining area. In order to find out more detailed changes in the surface activity of the mine, the time interval was reduced and the activity was observed over a 1-year period. In 2017, we analyzed changes in mining operations before and after artificial earthquakes based on seismic data and NDAI images. After the large-scale blasting that occurred on 30 April 2017, activity was detected west of the mining area. It is estimated that the size of the mining area was enlarged by two blasts on 30 September 2017. The time-averaged NDAI images used to perform detailed time-series analysis were generated over a period of 1 year and 4 months, and then composited into RGB images. Annual analysis of activity confirmed an active region in the northeast of the mining area in 2018 and found the characteristic activity of the expansion of tailings piles in 2019. Time series analysis using NDAI was able to detect random surface changes in open-pit mines that are difficult to identify with optical images. Especially in areas where in situ data is not available, remote sensing can effectively perform mining activity analysis.