• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

RC Slab bridges in Korea account for more than 70% of the total bridges for more than 20 years of service. As the number of aging structures increases, the importance of safety diagnosis and maintenance of structures increases. For highway bridges, cracks are a main cause of deck deterioration, which is very closely related to the decrease in bridge durability and service life. In addition, the damage rate of expansion joints and bearings accounts for approximately 73% higher than that of major members. Therefore, this study defined damage scenarios combined with devices damages and deck deterioration. The stress distribution and maximum stress on the deck were then evaluated using design vehicle load and daily temperature gradient for single and combined damage scenarios. Furthermore, this study performed damage-spread analysis and predicted condition ratings according to a deck deterioration model generated from the inspection and diagnosis history data of cracks. The heterogeneous damages combined with the member damages of expansion joints and bearings increased the rate of crack area and damage spread, which accelerated the time to reach the condition rating of C. Therefore, damage to bridge members requires proper and prompt repair and replacement, and otherwise it can cause the damage to bridge deck and the spread of the damage.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2023

The emergence of high-rise buildings has necessitated frequent structural health monitoring and maintenance for safety reasons. Wind causes damage and structural changes on tall structures; thus, safe structures should be designed. The pressure developed on tall buildings has been utilized in previous research studies to assess the impacts of wind on structures. The wind tunnel test is a primary research method commonly used to quantify the aerodynamic characteristics of high-rise buildings. Wind pressure is measured by placing pressure sensor taps at different locations on tall buildings, and the collected data are used for analysis. However, sensors may malfunction and produce erroneous data; these data losses make it difficult to analyze aerodynamic properties. Therefore, it is essential to generate missing data relative to the original data obtained from neighboring pressure sensor taps at various intervals. This study proposes a deep learning-based, deep convolutional generative adversarial network (DCGAN) to restore missing data associated with faulty pressure sensors installed on high-rise buildings. The performance of the proposed DCGAN is validated by using a standard imputation model known as the generative adversarial imputation network (GAIN). The average mean-square error (AMSE) and average R-squared (ARSE) are used as performance metrics. The calculated ARSE values by DCGAN on the building model's front, backside, left, and right sides are 0.970, 0.972, 0.984 and 0.978, respectively. The AMSE produced by DCGAN on four sides of the building model is 0.008, 0.010, 0.015 and 0.014. The average standard deviation of the actual measures of the pressure sensors on four sides of the model were 0.1738, 0.1758, 0.2234 and 0.2278. The average standard deviation of the pressure values generated by the proposed DCGAN imputation model was closer to that of the measured actual with values of 0.1736,0.1746,0.2191, and 0.2239 on four sides, respectively. In comparison, the standard deviation of the values predicted by GAIN are 0.1726,0.1735,0.2161, and 0.2209, which is far from actual values. The results demonstrate that DCGAN model fits better for data imputation than the GAIN model with improved accuracy and fewer error rates. Additionally, the DCGAN is utilized to estimate the wind pressure in regions of buildings where no pressure sensor taps are available; the model yielded greater prediction accuracy than GAIN.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.30-37
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• 2023

The PSCB girder bridge is a closed cross-section in which the top and bottom flanges and the web are integrated, and the structural characteristics are generally different from the bridges in which the girder and the floor plate are separated, so a maintenance plan that reflects the characteristics of the PSCB girder bridge is required. As a result of analyzing damage types by collecting detailed safety diagnosis reports of highway PSCB girder bridges, most of the deterioration and damage occurring during use is concentrated on the top flange. In particular, cracks in the bridge direction on the underside of the top flange occurred in about 70 % of the PSCB girder bridges to be analyzed, and these cracks were judged to be caused by indirect loads such as heat of hydration and drying shrinkage rather than structural cracks caused by external loads. In order to improve durability and reduce maintenance costs of PSCB girder bridges in use, it is necessary to control restraint drying shrinkage cracks from the design stage. Therefore, in this paper, the cracks caused by drying shrinkage under restraint, which is the main cause of cracks under the flanges of the top part of the PSCB girder bridge, were directly calculated using the Gilbert Model, and the influencing factors such as the amount of reinforcing bars, diameter and spacing of reinforcing bars were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the crack width caused by restraint drying shrinkage exceeded the allowable crack width of 0.2 mm for reinforcing bars with a reinforcing bar ratio of 0.01 or less based on the H16 reinforcing bar and a reinforcing bar with a diameter greater than H19 based on the reinforcing bar ratio of 0.01. Finally, based on the results of the crack width review, a method for controlling the crack width of the top flange of the PSCB girder bridge was proposed.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.17-26
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• 2023

To consider the risk of damage and fracture of P.C strands, the existing post-maintenance system alone has the limitations, hence it is necessary to quantitatively evaluate and predict the deterioration, durability and safety of facilities and establish a reasonable maintenance system considering the asset value of facilities. Therefore, it is worth considering a preventive maintenance plan that allows proactive measures to be taken before a major defect occurs in the temporary anchor. This study devised a preventive over tension method, reviewed its effectiveness through design and field tests, by calculating the resistance factors by performing a reliability-based optimization design. At this time, the over tension anchor method was evaluated using the ratio of the residual tension force after the fracture of P.C strands to the effective tension force before the fracture of P.C strand, followed by the resistance factor calculated by the optimal solution for each random variables using Excel solver and applying it to the limit state equations. As a result of the study, if the over tension ratio is 125% to 130%, the remaining strands showed a high resistance effect even after the fracture of P.C strand. As a result of the optimization design, it was found that it is appropriate to apply the load factor (γ) of 1.25, and the resistance factors of Φ₁, Φ₂, Φ₃ as 0.7, 0.5, 0.6.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.705-720
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• 2024

Analyzing the collapse behavior of thin-walled steel structures holds significant importance in ensuring their safety and longevity. Geometric imperfections present on the surface of metal materials can diminish both the durability and mechanical integrity of steel shells. These imperfections, encompassing local geometric irregularities and deformations such as holes, cavities, notches, and cracks localized in specific regions of the shell surface, play a pivotal role in the assessment. They can induce stress concentration within the structure, thereby influencing its susceptibility to buckling. The intricate relationship between the buckling behavior of these structures and such imperfections is multifaceted, contingent upon a variety of factors. The buckling analysis of thin-walled steel shell structures, similar to other steel structures, commonly involves the determination of crucial material properties, including elastic modulus, shear modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness. An established method involves the emulation of distributed geometric imperfections, utilizing real test specimen data as a basis. This approach allows for the accurate representation and assessment of the diversity and distribution of imperfections encountered in real-world scenarios. Utilizing defect data obtained from actual test samples enhances the model's realism and applicability. The sizes and configurations of these defects are employed as inputs in the modeling process, aiding in the prediction of structural behavior. It's worth noting that there is a dearth of experimental studies addressing the influence of geometric defects on the buckling behavior of cylindrical steel shells. In this particular study, samples featuring geometric imperfections were subjected to experimental buckling tests. These same samples were also modeled using Finite Element Analysis (FEM), with results corroborating the experimental findings. Furthermore, the initial geometrical imperfections were measured using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. In this way, the response of the test specimens can be estimated accurately by applying the initial imperfections to FE models. After validation of the test results with FEA, a numerical parametric study was conducted to develop more generalized design recommendations for the stainless-steel shell structures with the initial geometric imperfection. While the load-carrying capacity of samples with perfect surfaces was up to 140 kN, the load-carrying capacity of samples with 4 mm defects was around 130 kN. Likewise, while the load carrying capacity of samples with 10 mm defects was around 125 kN, the load carrying capacity of samples with 14 mm defects was measured around 120 kN.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.581-589
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• 2021

With the recent increase in the introduction of micro-electric vehicles in Korea, interest in micro-electric vehicle user satisfaction is increasing to revitalize related markets. In this paper, a basic study was conducted on the development of public services using micro-electric vehicle based on the constituent factors of user satisfaction. The survey includes: ① 'Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for selecting the priority factors of user satisfaction of micro-electric vehicles', ② 'A survey of micro-electric vehicles image' to collect data in advance for providing users' preferences and transportation services for micro-electric vehicles, ③ In order to investigate the user satisfaction level of users who actually operated micro-electric vehicles, the order of 'user satisfaction survey of micro-electric vehicle drivers' was conducted. In the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis, it was found that users regarded as important in the order of 'user utilization data', 'vehicle movement data', and 'charging service data'. In the micro-electric vehicle image survey, users perceived micro-electric vehicles more positively in terms of "safety", 'durability', 'Ride comfort', 'design', 'MOOE (Maintenance and other operating expense)', and 'environment-friendly' when comparing micro-electric vehicles with electric motorcycles. In the survey on the user satisfaction of micro-electric vehicle drivers, the use of micro-electric vehicle did not directly affect work performance efficiency, and there was an experience of being disadvantaged on the road due to the size of the micro-electric vehicle, and driving in a cluster of micro-electric vehicle for outdoor advertisements. The city's public relations effect was great, but it was concerned about safety. In the future, based on the results of this study, we plan to build a user satisfaction structural equation model, preemptively discover feedback R&D for micro-electric vehicle utilization services in the public field, and actively seek to discover new public mobility support services.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.37-68
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• 2018

Since the 20th century, automobiles, which are the most common means of transportation, have been evolving as the use of electronic control devices and automotive semiconductors increases dramatically. Automotive semiconductors are a key component in automotive electronic control devices and are used to provide stability, efficiency of fuel use, and stability of operation to consumers. For example, automotive semiconductors include engines control, technologies for managing electric motors, transmission control units, hybrid vehicle control, start/stop systems, electronic motor control, automotive radar and LIDAR, smart head lamps, head-up displays, lane keeping systems. As such, semiconductors are being applied to almost all electronic control devices that make up an automobile, and they are creating more effects than simply combining mechanical devices. Since automotive semiconductors have a high data rate basically, a microprocessor unit is being used instead of a micro control unit. For example, semiconductors based on ARM processors are being used in telematics, audio/video multi-medias and navigation. Automotive semiconductors require characteristics such as high reliability, durability and long-term supply, considering the period of use of the automobile for more than 10 years. The reliability of automotive semiconductors is directly linked to the safety of automobiles. The semiconductor industry uses JEDEC and AEC standards to evaluate the reliability of automotive semiconductors. In addition, the life expectancy of the product is estimated at the early stage of development and at the early stage of mass production by using the reliability test method and results that are presented as standard in the automobile industry. However, there are limitations in predicting the failure rate caused by various parameters such as customer's various conditions of use and usage time. To overcome these limitations, much research has been done in academia and industry. Among them, researches using data mining techniques have been carried out in many semiconductor fields, but application and research on automotive semiconductors have not yet been studied. In this regard, this study investigates the relationship between data generated during semiconductor assembly and package test process by using data mining technique, and uses data mining technique suitable for predicting potential failure rate using customer bad data.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.815-825
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• 2017

Visibility of lane marking is impaired at night or in the rain, which thereby threatens traffic safety. Recently, various studies and technologies have been developed to improve lane marking visibility, such as the extension of lane marking life expectancy (up to 1.5 times), improvement of lane marking equipment productivity, improvement of lane marking visibility by applying phosphorescent material mixed paint. Cost-benefit analysis was performed with considering various benefit items that can be expected. About 45% of traffic accidents would be prevented by improving lane marking visibility. Additionally, accident reduction benefit and traffic congestion reduction benefit were calculated as much as 246 billion KRW per year and 12 billion KRW per year, respectively, by reducing repaint cycle due to enhanced durability. 45 billion KRW per year is expected to reduced with improved lane detection performance of autonomous vehicle. Meanwhile, total increased cost when introducing phosphorescent material mixed paint to 91,195km of nationwide road is identified as 1922 billion KRW per year. However, economic feasibility could not be secured with 0.16 of cost-benefit ratio when applied to the road network as a whole. In case of "Accident Hot Spot" analyzing section window (400m), one or more fatality or two or more injured (one or more injured in case of less than 2 lanes per direction) per year were caused by pavement marking related accident, economic feasibility was secured. In detail, 3.91 of cost-benefit ratio is estimated with comparison of the installation cost for 5,697 of accident hot spot and accident reduction benefit. Some limitations and future research agenda have also been discussed.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.73-84
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to promote R&D of toilet design for the disabled by evaluating the Front-entry sitting toilet applied it to actual wheelchair users to examine the possibility of their application as a toilet that is low physical demanding and high satisfaction. Methods : Forty wheelchair users were asked to demonstrate using Front-entry sitting toilet after collecting the general characteristics and their current wheelchair usage information. Musculoskeletal disease risk assessment and user satisfaction were evaluated throughout Rapid Entire Body Assessment(REBA), Quebec Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0(QUEST) and subjective opinion questionnaire. Results : Statistical result showed that REBA scores($3.18{\pm}.38$) of Front-Entry Sitting Toilet were significantly lower(z=-5.930, p<.05) than the conventional toilet($6.53{\pm}1.15$). Overall, user satisfaction ratings were high with detailed scores were high in order of durability($4.48{\pm}.62$), safety($4.38{\pm}.63$), necessity($4.33{\pm}.73$) and universal ($4.6{\pm}.61$). Subjective opinion survey showed most were 'it was convenient to not have to rotate(30.8%).' Conclusion : This study found that Front-entry sitting toilet was highly likely to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and users' satisfactions were high. Through this study, we hope to expand the scope of occupational therapists and contribute to the physical, mental and social health in the daily activities of the people by applying various approaches.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.194-215
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• 2021

Termites are important decomposers in the ecosystem. They are also economically significant structural pests. In this study, we reviewed the developments of termite control and recent research on termite management to provide information on the prevention and control of termites. In Korea, most of the damage to wooden historical buildings is caused by subterranean termites. Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis is the main species, which is widely found throughout the country. In the early 1900s, inorganic insecticides, such as arsenic dust, were used for termite control. After the synthesis of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide in the 1940s, it was widely utilized and demonstrated high termite control efficacy. However, chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides were later banned, disappearing from markets after reports emerged concerning environmental contamination and toxicity to humans. Therefore, the termite control industry sought a new termiticide; hence many pesticides were utilized for termite control. Organophosphate (1960s), carbamate (1970s), pyrethroid, and insect growth inhibitor (1980s) were newly synthesized and adopted. In the 1990s, the first commercial baits using chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSI) were developed, providing a means to eliminate an entire colony of subterranean termites around a structure. Many studies have been carried out on soil termiticides (liquid termiticides) and CSI baits to increase their efficacy, and different baits such as aboveground bait stations, fluid bait, and high-durability bait were also developed in the 2000s. In addition, the paradigm of termite control has shifted from localized treatments using soil termiticides to area-wide pest management using CSI baits to create termite-free zones and protect buildings over time. Termite infestations in wooden historical buildings in Korea have been reported since 1980, and considerable attention was drawn in the 1990s when several UNESCO world heritages such as the Jongmyo Shrine and the Janggyeong Panjeon Depositories of Haeinsa Temple were infested by subterranean termites. Since then, a survey of termite infestation in wooden architectural heritage has been conducted, and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Care Program regularly monitors those properties. Finally, we suggest termite management using primarily CSI baits, selective application of various soil treatments applied to the object, foundation soil treatment, research and development of durable termite baits, application of area-wide programs for wooden-building complexes, application of integrated termite management (ITM), and regular education for owners and managers to prevent and reduce termite damage.