• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.243-256
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• 2019

Determination of the most meaningful structural modes and gaining insight into how these modes evolve are important issues for long-term structural health monitoring of the long-span bridges. To address this issue, modal parameters identified throughout the life of the bridge need to be compared and linked with each other, which is the process of mode tracking. The modal frequencies for a long-span bridge are typically closely-spaced, sensitive to the environment (e.g., temperature, wind, traffic, etc.), which makes the automated tracking of modal parameters a difficult process, often requiring human intervention. Machine learning methods are well-suited for uncovering complex underlying relationships between processes and thus have the potential to realize accurate and automated modal tracking. In this study, Gaussian mixture model (GMM), a popular unsupervised machine learning method, is employed to automatically determine and update baseline modal properties from the identified unlabeled modal parameters. On this foundation, a new mode tracking method is proposed for automated mode tracking for long-span bridges. Firstly, a numerical example for a three-degree-of-freedom system is employed to validate the feasibility of using GMM to automatically determine the baseline modal properties. Subsequently, the field monitoring data of a long-span bridge are utilized to illustrate the practical usage of GMM for automated determination of the baseline list. Finally, the continuously monitoring bridge acceleration data during strong typhoon events are employed to validate the reliability of proposed method in tracking the changing modal parameters. Results show that the proposed method can automatically track the modal parameters in disastrous scenarios and provide valuable references for condition assessment of the bridge structure.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.715-726
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• 2023

This study suggested that protective panels should be installed as sacrificial members as a safety design method for structures with potential explosions such as hydrogen charging stations to minimize direct damage to the structure and have resilience. To this end, the focus of the experiment is on quantitatively evaluating the impact of the structure when the protection panel is installed closely or spaced apart from the structure in a high-speed collision situation of the projectile. The experimental design used steel plates instead of concrete structural members mainly used in the past for excellent reproducibility, and the impact of structural members was compared and analyzed through deformation differences on the back of the steel plate. In addition, the impact of changes in the physical properties of the elastic body used as a separation material for the protective member and the difference in shock wave transmission time according to the protective member and the elastic body on the structural member was investigated.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

Objectives This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Five-Visceral Weak Children Questionnaire (FWCQ) in childhood anorexia and to propose optimal cutoff values. Methods We conducted two surveys, spaced one month apart, targeting the parents of 366 children aged 2-9 years who had been diagnosed with anorexia for at least one month. To evaluate the reliability of the FWCQ, we calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficient and employed the test-retest method. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed between the FWCQ and each visceral question, and discriminant validity was assessed by comparing responses from the anorexic and normal groups. Furthermore, we determined the cutoff value of the spleen weak score, which is closely associated with appetite, for the anorexic group. Results The first survey yielded responses from 336 participants, followed by 171 responses in the second survey conducted one month later. The FWCQ demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.776), and test-retest results were consistent. The correlation coefficients between the FWCQ and each visceral question were all statistically significant. Moreover, significant discriminant validity was observed between the anorexic and normal groups in the FWCQ score and the heart, spleen, and kidney weak scores. The optimal cutoff value for the spleen weak score in the anorexic group was found to be 5.5 points (with a sensitivity of 73.44% and specificity of 66.47%). Conclusions The FWCQ exhibited strong reliability and validity in children with anorexia.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2024

Objectives: Chronic anaemia is a significant health concern, particularly among women of childbearing age. Factors such as menstrual blood loss, childbirth, inadequate nutrition, closely spaced pregnancies, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding increase the risk of anaemia. This study investigated whether current contraceptive methods are associated with anaemia in Indian women of reproductive age. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, conducted in 2019-2021, were used for this investigation. We included only non-pregnant and non-amenorrhoeic women in our analysis, resulting in a final analytical sample of 673 094 women aged 15-49. Bivariate cross-tabulations and multivariable logistic regression were employed to analyse the data. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 57%, and the adjusted regression models found no significant association between the use of any contraceptive methods and women's haemoglobin status. Women using traditional contraceptive methods had 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.11) times higher odds of having anaemia. Among the modern methods, other than injectables, all other methods-such as an intrauterine device, barrier use, and sterilisation-were associated with higher odds of anaemia compared to women who used contraceptive pills. Conclusions: This study explored the relationship between modern contraceptives and haemoglobin levels in India, revealing that injectables were associated with a notable reduction in the odds of anaemia, whereas traditional contraceptives and other modern methods exhibited positive associations with anaemia. These findings prompt policymakers to focus on anaemia reduction and safe contraceptives. More research is needed to inform decisions, given the scant literature.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.411-416
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• 2020

An optical arrangement has been set inside a photo-spectrometer to measure the reflectance of IR optics materials in mid IR range. The optical arrangement consists of equally spaced 4 gold coated full reflecting mirrors with the incidence angle of 45°. Baseline beam intensity I_B has been measured while the beam proceeds through the 4 mirrors. Reflectance of a mirror has been estimated from the I_B. And the beam intensity I_S with the specimen in the optical path has been measured with the 4th mirror replaced with the specimen. Reflectance of the specimen has been estimated from the value of I_S/I_B. Then the estimated reflectance has been put in Fresnel equation relating reflectance and refractive index(RI) to estimate the RI of the material. Measurement has been made for sapphire, germanium, magnesium fluoride, and zinc sulfide. The estimated RI of the materials are closely matching with reference data and the maximum difference less than 2% over the wavelength range 3-5㎛ for all materials tested. As an FT-IR photo-spectrometer with a broadband wavelength infrared light source is used, this method has the advantage of measuring the refractive index at multiple wavelengths in a single measurement.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.249-260
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• 2017

In order to investigate the structural performance of a novel prefabricated-SRC column using bolt-connected steel angles(PSRC column), eccentric axial loading tests were performed for six PSRC column specimens and two conventional SRC column specimens. The test parameters were the spacing and sectional configurations of lateral reinforcement, and eccentricity ratio of axial load. The test results showed that, due to high axial-stiffness of the angles located at the corners of the cross section, the compressive load-carrying capacity and deformation capacity of the PSRC specimens were greater than those of the SRC specimens in the large eccentricity ratio of axial load. Closely spaced lateral steel plates and Z-shaped lateral steel plates improved lateral confinement, which increased the load-carrying capacity of the PSRC specimens. The combined flexural and axial load-carrying capacity of the specimens by tests and nonlinear numerical analysis were greater than the predictions by current design codes. The numerical analysis agreed well with the test results including the initial stiffness, peak strength, and post-peak strength degradation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2017

The present study focused on the structural performance of newly developed prefabricated composite columns (PSRC composite column) using bolt-connected steel angles. Concentric axial loading tests were performed for four 2/3 scaled PSRC column specimens and two conventional SRC column specimens. The test parameters were the spacing and sectional configurations of lateral reinforcement, and width-to-thickness ratio of steel angles. The test results showed that the axial load-carrying capacity and deformation capacity of the PSRC column specimens were comparable to those of the conventional SRC column specimens. Closely spaced steel plates and Z-shaped steel plates for lateral reinforcement increased the deformation capacity of the PSRC column specimens. The load-carrying capacity was greater than the prediction by current design codes. Numerical analysis was performed for the specimens. The results agreed well with the test results in terms of initial stiffness, load-carrying capacity, except for strength degradation due to cover concrete spalling.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.19-33
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• 2008

Dynamic response measurements from natural excitation were carried out for 25- and 42-story buildings to evaluate their inherent properties, such as natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios. Both are reinforced concrete buildings adopting a core wall, or with shear walls as the major lateral force resisting system, but frames are added in the plan or elevation. In particular, shear walls in a 25-story building are converted to frames from the 4th floor level downwards while maintaining a core wall throughout, resulting in a fairly complex structure. Due to this, along with similar stiffness characteristics in the principal directions, significantly coupled and closely spaced modes of motion are expected in this building, making identification rather difficult. By using various state-of-the-art system identification methods, the modal parameters are extracted, and the results are then compared. Three frequency-domain and four time-domain based operational modal identification methods are considered. Overall, all natural frequencies and damping ratios estimated from the different identification methods showed a greater consistency for both buildings, while mode shapes exhibited some degree of discrepancy, varying from method to method. On the other hand, in comparison with analysis results obtained using the initial finite element(FE) models, test results exhibited a significant difference of about doubled frequencies, at least for the three lower modes in both buildings. To improve the correlation between test and analysis, a few manual schemes of FE model updating based on plausible reasons have been applied, and acceptable results are obtained. The advantages and disadvantages of each identification method used are addressed, and some difficulties that might arise from the updating of FE models, including automatic procedures, for such large structures are carefully discussed.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.85-98
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• 2009

The tau-p inversion algorithm is widely employed to generate starting models with most computer programs, which implement refraction tomography. This algorithm emphasises the vertical resolution of many layers, and as a result, it frequently fails to detect even large lateral variations in seismic velocities, such as the decreases which are indicative of shear zones. This study demonstrates the failure of the tau-p inversion algorithm to detect or define a major shear zone which is 50m or 10 stations wide. Furthermore, the majority of refraction tomography programs parameterise the seismic velocities within each layer with vertical velocity gradients. By contrast, the Generalized Reciprocal Method (GRM) inversion algorithms emphasise the lateral resolution of individual layers. This study demonstrates the successful detection and definition of the 50m wide shear zone with the GRM inversion algorithms. The existence of the shear zone is confirmed by a 2D analysis of the head wave amplitudes and by numerous closely spaced orthogonal seismic profiles carried out as part of a later 3D refraction investigation. Furthermore, an analysis of the shot record amplitudes indicates that a reversal in the seismic velocities, rather than vertical velocity gradients, occurs in the weathered layers. The major conclusion reached in this study is that while all seismic refraction operations should aim to provide as accurate depth estimates as is practical, those which emphasise the lateral resolution of individual layers generate more useful results for geotechnical and environmental applications. The advantages of the improved lateral resolution are obtained with 2D traverses in which the structural features can be recognised from the magnitudes of the variations in the seismic velocities. Furthermore, the spatial patterns obtained with 3D investigations facilitate the recognition of structural features such as faults which do not display any intrinsic variation or 'signature' in seismic velocities.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.549-559
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• 1994

Razor clam, Solen (Solen) strictus, was collected between May 1989 and July 1990 on a macrotidal flat, Inchon, Korea. The population sampled at just above mean sea level had a mean density of 126 individuals/$m^2$. Age was determined for 872 specimens by counting annuli, a series of closely-spaced concentric growth lines. According to the fatness index spawning seemed to have occurred once per year in June, and the first recruits for the 1989 year cohort population were found in July. Solen (Solen) strictus on the Chokchon tidal flat reached a shell length of 6.2 cm in four years. Mean growth in shell length can be described by the von Bertalanffy function, which yielded estimates of growth parameters equivalent to $L_{\infty}=81.865\;mm$ shell length and K=0.320 per year: $$L_{t}=81.865(1-e^{-0.320(t+0.487)})$$$$W_{t}=7.173(1-e^{-0.320(t+0.487)})^3$$