• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.71-87
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• 2011

Gravitational waves are predicted by the Einstein's theory of General Relativity. The direct detection of gravitational waves is one of the most challenging tasks in modern science and engineering due to the 'weak' nature of gravity. Recent development of the laser interferometer technology, however, makes it possible to build a detector on Earth that is sensitive up to 100-1000 Mpc for strong sources. It implies an expected detection rate of neutron star mergers, which are one of the most important targets for ground-based detectors, ranges between a few to a few hundred per year. Therefore, we expect that the gravitational-wave observation will be routine within several years. Strongest gravitational-wave sources include tight binaries composed of compact objects, supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts, mergers of supermassive black holes, etc. Together with the electromagnetic waves, the gravitational wave observation will allow us to explore the most exotic nature of astrophysical objects as well as the very early evolution of the universe. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the theory of gravitational waves, principles of detections, gravitational-wave detectors, astrophysical sources of gravitational waves, and future prospects.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.101.2-101.2
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• 2012

Shocks are ubiquitous in astrophysical plasmas: bow shocks are formed by the interaction of solar wind with planetary magnetic fields, and supernova explosions and jets produce shocks in interstellar and intergalactic spaces. The global morphologies of these shocks are usually described by a set of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations which tacitly assumes local thermal equilibrium, and the resulting Rankine-Hugoniot shock jump conditions are applied to obtain the relationship between the upstream and downstream physical quantities. While thermal equilibrium can be achieved easily in collisional fluids, it is generally believed that collisions are infrequent in astrophysical settings. In fact, shock widths are much smaller than collisional mean free paths and a variety of kinetic phenomena are seen at the shock fronts according to in situ observations of planetary shocks. Hence, both the MHD and kinetic equations have been adopted in theoretical and numerical studies to describe different aspects of the physical phenomena associated with astrophysical shocks. In this paper, we present the results of 3D relativistic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations for ion-electron plasmas, with focus on the shock structures: when a jet propagates into an unmagnetized ambient plasma, a shock forms in the nonlinear stage of the Weibel instability. As the shock shows the structures that resemble those predicted in MHD systems, we compare the results with those predicted in the MHD shocks. We also discuss the thermalization processes of the upstream flows based on the time evolutions of the phase space and the velocity distribution, as well as the wave spectra analyses.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2014

We studied the source mechanisms of very-long-period event recorded at seismic station WIZ near White Island Volcano, New Zealand on August 4, 2012. Since seismic data at only one station were available, we conducted moment tensor inversion using three simplified models (explosion, crack, and pipe models). To constrain the moment tensor solution of seismic event, we computed synthetic data for each model to compare with observed data. Type and orientation for the best model is a crack at a depth of 1600 m with a dip of $80^{\circ}NE$ and a strike of $N80^{\circ}W$. We interpret that a deep explosion may have opened a crack for gases to escape, and the upward gas flow triggered the surface explosions four hours later as confirmed by a webcam. The interpretation based on moment tensor inversion is consistent with previous studies of geochemical data of the volcanic island.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2018

The structural design of offshore installations against explosions has been required to protect vital areas (e.g. control room, worker's area etc.) and minimize the damage from explosion accidents. Because the explosion accident will not only result in significant casualties and economic losses, but also cause serious pollution and damage to surrounding environment and coastal marine ecosystems. Over the past two decades, an incredible efforts was made to develop reliable methods to reduce and manage the explosion risk. Among the methods Quantitative Risk Assessment and Management (QRA&M) is the one of cutting-edge technologies. The explosion risk can be quantitatively assessed by the product of explosion frequency based on probability calculation and consequence analyzed using computer simulations, namely Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). However to obtain reliable consequence analysis results by CFD and FEA, uncertainties associate with modeling and simulation are needed to be identified and validated by comparison with experimental data. Therefore, large-scaled explosion test procedure is developed in this study. And developed test procedure can be helpful to obtain precious test data for the validation of consequence analysis using computer simulations, and subsequently allow better assessment and management of explosion risks.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.755-771
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• 2014

Environmental changes, especially global climate change, are creating new challenges to the development of the Arctic regions, which have substantial energy resources. And attention to offshore structures has increased with oil and gas development. The structural impact response of an explosion-resistant profiled blast walls normally changes when it operates in low temperatures. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the structural response of blast walls in low temperature and suggest useful guidelines for understanding the characteristics of the structural impact response of blast walls subjected to hydrocarbon explosions in Arctic conditions. The target temperatures were based on the average summer temperature ($-20^{\circ}C$), the average winter temperature ($-40^{\circ}C$) and the coldest temperature recorded (approximately $-68^{\circ}C$) in the Arctic. The nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to design an explosion-resistant profiled blast wall for use in Arctic conditions based on the behaviour of material properties at low temperatures established by performing a tensile test. The conclusions and implications of the findings are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.8 no.4 s.25
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• pp.55-61
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• 2004

This paper provided a counter measures against the troubles and accidents that are likely to take place in the power plant using hydrogen gas as a coolant for the cooling system of the generator. Because of the extremely wide flammability limits of hydrogen in comparison to the other flammable gases, the safety measures against the hydrogen accidents is very important to ensure the normal operation of electric-power facility. This study's purpose was a presentation of standard model of safety management of hydrogen equipments in the coal firing power plant such as following items: 1) providing the technical prevention manual of the hydrogen explosions and hydrogen fires occurring in the cooling system of power generator; 2) the selection of explosion-proof equipments in terms of the risk level of operating environment; 3) the establishment of regulations and counter measures, such as the incorporation of gas leakage alarm device, for preventing the accidents from arising, 4) the establishment of safety management system to ensure the normal operation of the power plant.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.62-67
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• 2015

In this paper, the consequence analysis has been evaluated for the damage effects of the LPG storage tanks when they are installed on the ground or underground. They should be performed to identify measures to reduce risks for the LPG storage tanks which are more widely used. In order to conduct a damage effect evaluation of the LPG storage tanks installed underground, FDS was used to simulate the LPG storage tanks installed and housed within a facility. The maximum pressure of the storage facilities for the LPG storage tanks has been calculated from the FDS, and it's results are used as an input variable for Phast which is a commercial software for evaluating the damage effects. Getting results from the consequence analysis and computational simulations(diffusion range of LFL and UFL, jet fire or explosions) were quantitatively presented for the damage effects.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

There have been large explosions at some chemical plants recently. Accidents in chemical plants have been caused mainly by servicing for maintenance. There is a need to find a key target for effective injury prevention in maintenance. In this paper, facilities were selected as a key target and the risk priority numbers of the facilities were calculated in order to prioritize preventative measures. The research method was based on the followings; the list of the facilities is found through injury analysis. Then, the risk of each facility was calculated by the frequency of accidents and the working day loss through injuries. In addition, the risk of the facilities was calculated again by the frequency and the severity based on knowledge and experience of experts. As a result, the facilities in chemical plant maintenance are ranked in order of high to low risk priority number; reactor, dryer, tank lorry, etc. In the future, special measures and attention should be directed according to the risk priority number during the maintenance of chemical plants.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.789-795
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• 2016

Laser-induced combustions and explosions generated by high laser irradiances were explored by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The laser used for target ablation is a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with 7 ns pulse duration at wavelength of 1064 nm laser energies from 40 mJ to 2500 mJ ($6.88{\times}10^{10}-6.53{\times}10^{11}W/cm^2$). The plasma light source from aluminum detected by the echelle grating spectrometer and coupled to the gated ICCD(a resolution (${\lambda}/{\Delta}{\lambda}$) of 5000). This spectroscopic study has been investigated for obtaining both the atomic/molecular signals of aluminum-oxygen and the calculated ambient condition such as plasma temperature and electron density. The essence of the paper is observing specific electron density ratio which can support the processes of chemical reaction and combustion between ablated aluminum plume and oxygen from air by inducing high laser energy.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2010

The analysis of structure response and design of buried structures subjected to dynamic destructive loads have been receiving increasing interest due to recent severe damage caused by strong earthquakes and terrorist attacks. For a comprehensive design of buried structures subjected to blast loads to be conducted, the whole system behaviour including simulation of the explosion, propagation of shock waves through the soil medium, the interaction of the soil with the buried structure and the structure response needs to be simulated in a single model. Such a model will enable more realistic simulation of the fundamental physical behaviour. This paper presents a complete model simulating the whole system using the finite element package ABAQUS/Explicit. The Arbitrary Lagrange Euler Coupling formulation is used to model the explosive charge and the soil region near the explosion to eliminate the distortion of the mesh under high deformation, while the conventional finite element method is used to model the rest of the system. The elasto-plastic Drucker-Prager Cap model is used to model the soil behaviour. The explosion process is simulated using the Jones-Wilkens-Lee equation of state. The Concrete Damage Plasticity model is used to simulate the behaviour of concrete with the reinforcement considered as an elasto-plastic material. The contact interface between soil and structure is simulated using the general Mohr-Coulomb friction concept, which allows for sliding, separation and rebound between the buried structure surface and the surrounding soil. The behaviour of the whole system is evaluated using a numerical example which shows that the proposed model is capable of producing a realistic simulation of the physical system behaviour in a smooth numerical process.