• Advances in materials Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.299-330
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• 2022

This review article highlights the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of coconut shells, and the fresh and hardened properties of the coconut shell concrete are summarized and were compared with other types of aggregates. Furthermore, the structural behavior in terms of flexural, shear, and torsion was also highlighted, with other properties including shrinkage, elastic modulus, and permeability of the coconut shell concrete. Based on the reviewed literature, concrete containing coconut shell as coarse aggregate with normal sand as fine showed the 28-day compressive strength between 2 and 36 MPa with the dried density range of 1865 to 2300 kg/m³. Coconut shell concretes showed a 28-day modulus of rupture and splitting tensile strength values in the ranges of 2.59 to 8.45 MPa and 0.8 to 3.70 MPa, respectively, and these values were in the range of 5-20% of the compressive strength. The flexural behavior of CSC was found similar to other types of lightweight concrete. There were no horizontal cracks on beams which indicate no bond failure. Whereas, the diagonal shear failure was prominent in beams with no shear reinforcements while flexural failure mode was seen in beams having shear reinforcement. Under torsion, CSC beams behave like conventional concrete. Finally, future recommendations are also suggested in this study to investigate the innovative lightweight aggregate concrete based on the environmental and financial design factors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

The unconfined compression strength (UCS) of soils is commonly used either before or during the construction of geo-structures. In the pre-design stage, UCS as a mechanical property is obtained through a laboratory test that requires cumbersome procedures and high costs from in-situ sampling and sample preparation. As an alternative way, the empirical model established from limited testing cases is used to economically estimate the UCS. However, many parameters affecting the 1D soil compression response hinder employing the traditional statistical analysis. In this study, gene expression programming (GEP) is adopted to develop a prediction model of UCS with common affecting soil properties. A total of 79 undisturbed soil samples are collected, of which 54 samples are utilized for the generation of a predictive model and 25 samples are used to validate the proposed model. Experimental studies are conducted to measure the unconfined compression strength and basic soil index properties. A performance assessment of the prediction model is carried out using statistical checks including the correlation coefficient (R), the root mean square error (RMSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), the relatively squared error (RSE), and external criteria checks. The prediction model has achieved excellent accuracy with values of R, RMSE, MAE, and RSE of 0.98, 10.01, 7.94, and 0.03, respectively for the training data and 0.92, 19.82, 14.56, and 0.15, respectively for the testing data. From the sensitivity analysis and parametric study, the liquid limit and fine content are found to be the most sensitive parameters whereas the sand content is the least critical parameter.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.333-348
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• 2023

Fast infrastructure development boosts the demand for shotcrete. Despite sand and stone being the most common coarse and fine aggregates for shotcrete, excessive exploration of these materials challenges the ecological environment. This study utilized an industrial solid waste, high-titanium heavy slag, blended with steel fibers to form Wet Shotcrete of Steel Fiber-reinforced High-Titanium Heavy Slag (WSSFHTHS). It investigated its workability, shotcrete performance and mechanical properties under different water-to-cement ratios, fly ash content, superplasticizer dosage, and steel fiber content. The tunnel excavation and support were investigated by conducting finite element numerical simulation analysis and was used in 3 tunnel lining pipes in Zhonggouwan tailing pond. The major findings are as follows: (1) The water-to-cement ratio (w/c ratio) significantly impacted the compressive strength of WSSFHTHS. The highest 28-day compressive strength of 60 MPa was achieved when the w/c ratio was 0.38; (2) Adding fly ash improved the workability and shotcrete performance and strength development of WSSFHTHS. The best anti-permeability performance was achieved when the fly ash constituted 15%, with the lowest permeability coefficient of 4.596 × 10-11 cm/s; (3) The optimum superplasticizer dosage for WSSFHTHS is 0.8%. It provided the best workability and shotcrete performance. Excessive dosage resulted in water bleeding and poor aggregate encapsulation, while insufficient dosage decreased flowability and adversely affected shotcrete performance; (4) The dosage of steel fibers significantly impacted the flexural and tensile strength of WSSFHTHS. When the steel fiber dosage was 45 kg/m³, the 28-day flexural and tensile strengths were 8.95 MPa and 6.15 MPa, respectively; (5) By integrating existing shotcrete techniques, the optimal lining thickness was 80 mm for WSSFHTHS per simulation. The results revealed that after using WSSFHTHS, the displacement of the tunnel surrounding the rock significantly improved, with no cracks or hollows, similar to the simulation results.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1-20
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• 2019

In order to establish appropriate policy to control sediment-associated problems, it is necessary to identify the physical characteristics of the reservoir sediments in particulate form in the Yeongsan River. Two time-integrated suspended sediment samplers were installed at Seungchon and Juksan weir on the upper and middle Yeongsan River in July 2012. Reservoir sediment samples were obtained at monthly intervals until October 2014. During the monitoring period, a total of 38 sediment samples were obtained and analyzed. Seasonal trends of suspended sedimentation rates and grain size distributions were examined based on variations in precipitation and discharge fluctuations. Moreover, stream flow characteristics, which has a great influence on the physical characteristics of the river sediment, was analyzed using flow duration curve for the period 2003-2019 at Naju gauging station. Sedimentation rates during summer, when heavy rainfall was concentrated due to the monsoonal front and typhoon, were very high, indicating the positive relationship between sediment concentration and discharge. Particle size analysis of the collected sediment showed that coarse silt and very fine sand-sized sediment dominated most of the Seungchon weir sediment. On the other hand, medium silt-sized sediment dominated the downstream Juksan weir except for a few summer samples. These results implied that the physical characteristics of the suspended sediment are determined not only due to flow fluctuations, but also with regard to the antecedent rainfall conditions, hillslope-channel connectivity, and the supply of materials from various contributing regions. This information about flow characteristics and temporal variations in reservoir sediment can be used for safe management of the weir and discussing the issues on the dismantling of the weirs.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.53-70
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• 2020

Silgyeong sansuhwa (Realistic landscape paintings) are drawn in Korea since 17th century. It has characteristics of more realistic description of landscape than painting from previous periods. Kim Hong Do's 'Haedong Myeongsan docheop (The album of paintings of famous mountains in Korea)' has been recognized as fine example of realistic description of geomorphic landscapes. Kim Hong Do and Kim Eung hwan did official travel to Gwandong and Geumgangsan area by order of King Jeongjo in 1788. As a result of that travel they draw about 100 piece of landscape painting. About 60 pieces of the paintings are still remaining. These are open to public by Korea National Museum in 1996. 14 pieces of painting, Daegwanryeong and Gangneung, Gyeongpo-dae, Hohae-jeong, Gahak-jeong, Cheonggan-jeong, Mun-am, Mangyang-jeong, Wolsong-jeong, Neungpa-dae, Naksan-sa, Mureung-gye, Gyejo-gul, and Hyeonjong-am, are analysed in this study. Coastal depositional landforms, like lagoon, sand beach and spit or barriers, erosional forms, like sea stack, sea cliff and sea cave, depicted in the paintings are analysed. In addition, structural landforms, colluvial landform and bedrock incision form by the running water in mountain area were analysed and weathered forms of granite and excursion to karst cave also discussed. It is found that sea arch in the printing destroyed since 1788, though exact position and reason is still unknown. There are strong need for discovery and identification of geomorphic landscape resources, for applied geomorphological studies and for prepare educational materials for non-face-to-face education. It also be emphasized that it can be used of the course work materials for future education using augmented reality and virtual reality technology.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.717-724
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• 2023

Residual shear strength is an important parameter in landslide dynamics and may be considered the critical factor in landslide triggering. Tests were undertaken using Jumunjin sands to examine the effects of smooth and rough surfaces on ring-shear characteristics. Under dense and drained conditions, shear velocities were recorded as 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 50, 100 mm s^-1, with shear strength increasing with velocity and producing increasingly fine content. Particle fragmentation may thus increase landslide mobilization when the landslide body is mixed with ambient water in channelized flows.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2024

The rheological properties of fresh concrete significantly influence its manufacturing and performance. However, the diversification of newly developed mixtures and manufacturing techniques has made it challenging to accurately predict these properties using traditional empirical methods. This study introduces a multiscale rheological property prediction model designed to quantitatively anticipate the rheological characteristics from nano-scale interparticle interactions, such as those among cement particles, to micro-scale behaviors, such as those involving fine aggregates. The Yield Stress Model (YODEL), the Chateau-Ovarlez-Trung equation, and the Krieger-Dougherty equation were utilized to predict the yield stress for cement paste and mortar, as well as the plastic viscosity. Initially, predictions were made for the paste scale, using the water-cement ratio (W/C) of the cement paste. These predictions then served as a basis for further forecasting of the rheological properties at the mortar scale, incorporating the same W/C and adding the cement-sand volume ratio (C/S). Lastly, the practicality of the predictive model was assessed by comparing the forecasted outcomes to experimental results obtained from rotational rheometer.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.5
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• pp.467-480
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• 2024

The mechanical properties and durability of concrete pavements may be degraded in extreme situations, resulting in the need for partial repair or total replacement. During the past few decades, there has been a growing body of research on substituting a portion of Portland cement with alternative cementitious materials for improving concrete properties. In this study, two different configurations of powdered and granulated blast furnace slag were implemented, replacing fine aggregates (by 12 wt.%) and Portland cement (by 0, 20, 40, and 60 wt.%) in the making of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) mixes. The specimens were fabricated to investigate the mechanical properties and durability specifications, involving freeze-thaw, salt-scaling, and water absorption resistance. The experimental results indicated that the optimum mechanical properties of RCC mixes could be achieved when 20-40 wt.% of powdered slag was added to concrete mixes containing slag aggregates. Accordingly, the increases in compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths were 45, 50, and 28%, in comparison to the control specimen at the age of 90 days. Also, incorporating 60 wt.% of powdered slag gave rise to the optimum mix plan in terms of freeze-thaw resistance such that a negligible strength degradation was experienced after 300 cycles. In addition, the optimal moisture content of the proposed RCC mixtures was measured to be in the range of 5 to 6.56%. Furthermore, the partial addition of granulated slag was found to be more advantageous than using entirely natural sand in the improvement of the mechanical and durability characteristics of all mixture plans.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.420-427
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• 2016

This study was conducted on the sediment remediation using micro-bubble to remove fine particles. For this study, characteristics of contamination and release in sediment were analyzed. And then, the characteristics of bubbles on removal efficiency was investigated at various operation conditions. In particle size distribution of the sediment used for the study, the proportion of clay and silt (<0.075 mm) was about 7.7%, sand (0.075~4.75 mm) was about 67.8%, and gravel (${\geq}4.75$) was 24.5%. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) of the sediment were 2,790~3,260, 261~311 mg/kg respectively. Ignition loss and water content were 4.1~9.6, 32.9~53.2% respectively. In analysis of removal efficiency according to operation conditions of micro-bubble, it was the highest when operation condition is pressure 6 atm, pressurized water ratio 30%, and coagulant dosage 15 ppm. At the time, the sediment's removal efficiency was 19.9%. Accordingly removal efficiency of TN and TP were 21.4, 22.6% respectively. Finally a research was found that fine particles in sediment were almost removed by micro-bubble, which led to decrease nutrients' release at about 20.1~64.3% in comparison to sediment including lots of fine particles.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 2015

It is known that polymer concretes are 8~10 times more expensive than ordinary Portland cement concretes; therefore, in the production of polymer concrete products, it is very important to reduce the amount of polymer binders used because this occupies the most of the production cost of polymer concretes. In order to develop a technology for the reduction of polymer binders, smooth and spherical aggregates were prepared by the atomizing technology using the oxidation process steel slag (electric arc furnace slag, EAFS) and the reduction process steel slag (ladle furnace slag, LFS) generated by steel industries. A reduction in the amount of polymer binders used was expected because of an improvement in the workability of polymer concretes as a result of the ball-bearing effect and maximum filling effect in case the polymer concrete was prepared using the smooth and spherical atomized steel slag instead of the calcium carbonate (filler) and river sand (fine aggregate) that were generally used in polymer concretes. To investigate physical properties of the polymer concrete, specimens of the polymer concrete were prepared with various proportions of polymer binder and replacement ratios of the atomized reduction process steel slag. The results showed that the compressive strengths of the specimens increased gradually along with the higher replacement ratios of the atomized steel slag, but the flexural strength showed a different maximum strength depending on the addition ratio of polymer binders. In the hot water resistance test, the compressive strength, flexural strength, bulk density, and average pore diameter decreased; but the total pore volume and porosity increased. It was found that the polymer concrete developed in this study was able to have a 19% reduction in the amount of polymer binders compared with that of the conventional product because of the remarkable improvement in the workability of polymer concretes using the spherical atomized oxidation steel slag and atomized reduction steel slag instead of the calcium carbonate and river sand.