• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.133-141
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• 2008

In this study, a new method for estimating the undrained shear strength $s_u$ of saturated clays using piezocone penetration test (CPTu) result is proposed. This is to develop more effective CPTu-based $s_u$ estimation method at lower cost with less uncertainty. For this purpose, a marine clay deposit is selected and tested through extensive experimental testing program including both in-situ and fundamental laboratory tests. The proposed method is based on a correlation between the undrained shear strength $s_u$ and the cone resistance $q_t$, without introduction of the total overburden stress into the $s_u-q_t$ correlation. As a result, no additional testing procedure for collecting undisturbed soils samples is required, which can reduce overall testing cost. To verify the proposed method, 4 test sites, which consist of a variety of soil conditions, are selected and used for comparison between measured and predicted undrained shear strength. From comparison, it is seen that predicted values of $s_u$ using the proposed method match well those from measured results.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.4 s.179
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• pp.451-471
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• 2006

Major projects and research topics in the field of rock mechanics are analyzed to obtain the following results: $\cdot$ Rock mechanics deals with the behavior of deformation, failure and displacement of the rock and rock mass on the basis of geological basics. Discontinuities in the rock mass are the most important parameters to control the behavior of rock mass around underground openings. $\cdot$ The objective of site investigation and testing is to determine the strength properties of the rock mass and the in situ stress regime. Specimens for laboratory and in situ tests are to be selected in order that the results of the tests give the representative properties oi the rock mass of the site in question. $\cdot$ The result of a numerical model would be better evaluated not quantitatively but qualitatively. The displacement behavior of the rock mass has to be monitored properly for the NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) principles. $\cdot$ The stability of rock slope is to be evaluated preferably by back analysis with strength parameters, such as cohesion and friction angle.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.103-116
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• 2008

In this study, in-situ testing method, Dynamic Cone Penetration Test(DCPT) was presented to establish a new compaction control criteria with using mechanical property like elastic modulus instead of unit weight for field compaction control. Soil chamber tests and in-situ tests were carried out to confirm DCPT tests can predict the designed elastic modulus after field compaction, and correlation analysis among the DCPT, CBR and resilient modulus of sub grade were performed. Also, DCPT test spacing criteria in the construction site was proposed from the literature review. In the result of laboratory tests, Livneh's equation was the best in correlation between PR of DCPT and CBR, George and Pradesh's equation was the best in the predicted resilient modulus. In the resilient modulus using FWD, Gudishala's equation estimates little larger than predicted resilient modulus and Chen's equation estimates little smaller. And KICT's equation estimates the modulus smaller than predicted resilient modulus. But using the results of laboratory resilient modulus tests considering the deviatoric and confining stress from the moving vehicle, the KICT's equation was the best. In the results of In-situ DCPT tests, the variation of PR can occur according to size distribution of penetrate points. So DCPT test spacing was proposed to reduce the difference of PR. Also it was shows that average PR was different according to subgrade materials although the subgrade was satisfied the degree of compaction. Especially large sized materials show smaller PR, and it is also found that field water contents have influence a lot of degree of compaction but a little on the average PR of the DCPT tests.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.269-284
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• 2016

Simplified techniques based on in situ testing methods are commonly used to assess seismic liquefaction potential. Many of these simplified methods were developed by analyzing liquefaction case histories from which the liquefaction boundary (limit state) separating two categories (the occurrence or non-occurrence of liquefaction) is determined. As the liquefaction classification problem is highly nonlinear in nature, it is difficult to develop a comprehensive model using conventional modeling techniques that take into consideration all the independent variables, such as the seismic and soil properties. In this study, a modification of the Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) approach based on Logistic Regression (LR) LR_MARS is used to evaluate seismic liquefaction potential based on actual field records. Three different LR_MARS models were used to analyze three different field liquefaction databases and the results are compared with the neural network approaches. The developed spline functions and the limit state functions obtained reveal that the LR_MARS models can capture and describe the intrinsic, complex relationship between seismic parameters, soil parameters, and the liquefaction potential without having to make any assumptions about the underlying relationship between the various variables. Considering its computational efficiency, simplicity of interpretation, predictive accuracy, its data-driven and adaptive nature and its ability to map the interaction between variables, the use of LR_MARS model in assessing seismic liquefaction potential is promising.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.1124-1131
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• 2008

Thanks to a new in-situ seismic probe, using bender elements and penetration scheme, a simple linear relationship between undrained shear strength(Cu) and shear wave velocity(Vs) was obtained. This priceless relationship is worthy to be illuminated further in ideal laboratory environment. To avoid sampling disturbance effect, special consolidation cylinders were used to make normally consolidated specimens from kaolinite suspension. The undrained shear strengths of the specimens were measured using unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression tests. Also shear wave velocity measurements were performedprior to shearing the same specimens, using the bender elements installed in the base pedestal and the top cap of the triaxial compression cell. The Cu-Vs relationship is fairly linear and supports the linear trend of clayey silt obtained using field testing. Also the classic density-shear modulus relationship for soft clay proposed by Hardin and Black(1969) was once more verified hereby.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2008

Valves in power plants are leaking internally by various damages including insertion of foreign objects on seat, seat crack, defects and fatigue crack of stem packing or welds etc. due to severe operating conditions such as high temperature and high pressure for extended period time. Acoustic emission(AE) technology should be applied in order to diagnose precisely and evaluate these valve internal leak. In this paper, results of studies which have accomplished in actual power plant are presented. We have analyzed background noise, AE signal level and frequency spectrum through laboratory tests on the basis of various actual conditions in power plant, and also have considered evaluation methods on the background noise, AE properties and the detectable minimum leak rate according to valve leak conditions through comparing with results of field tests in power plant. As a result of these studies, we conformed that evaluation of internal leak conditions including discrimination of leak or not, and the detectable minimum leak rate is possible, and also it is expected to contribute to safe operation and prevention of energy loss in power plants.

• 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.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.101-116
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• 2018

As one of the most important engineering structures, arch dams are huge constructions built with human hands and have strategical importance. Because of the fact that long construction duration, water supply, financial reasons, major loss of life and material since failure etc., the design of arch dams is very important problem and should be done by expert engineers to determine the structural behavior more accurately. Finite element analyses and non-destructive experimental measurements can be used to investigate the structural response, but there are some difficulties such as spending a long time while modelling, analysis and in-situ testing. Therefore, it is more useful to conduct the research on the laboratory conditions and to transform the obtained results into real constructions. Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to determine the structural behavior of arch dams considering experimentally validated prototype laboratory model using similitude and scaling laws. Type-1 arch dam, which is one of five arch dam types suggested at the "Arch Dams" Symposium in England in 1968 is selected as reference prototype model. The dam is built considering dam-reservoir-foundation interaction and ambient vibration tests are performed to validate the finite element results such as dynamic characteristics, displacements, principal stresses and strains. These results are considered as reference parameters and used to determine the real arch dam response with different scales factors such as 335, 400, 416.67 and 450. These values are selected by considering previously examined dam projects. Arch heights are calculated as 201 m, 240 m, 250 m and 270 m, respectively. The structural response is investigated between the model and prototype by using similarity requirements, field equations, scaling laws etc. To validate these results, finite element models are enlarged in the same scales and analyses are repeated to obtain the dynamic characteristics, displacements, principal stresses and strains. At the end of the study, it is seen that there is a good agreement between all results obtained by similarity requirements with scaling laws and enlarged finite element models.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2014

Cemented soils have been widely used in road and dam construction, and recently ground improvement of soft soils. The strength of such cemented soils can be tested by using cored sample or laboratory-prepared specimen through unconfined compression or triaxial tests. It takes time to core a sample or prepare a testing specimen in the laboratory. In a certain situation, it is necessary to determine the in-situ strength of cemented soils very quickly and on time. In this study, the relation between unconfined compressive strength and shear wave velocity was investigated for predicting the in-situ strength of cemented soils. A small cemented specimen with 5 cm in diameter and 10 cm in height was prepared by Nakdong river sand and ordinary Portland cement. Its cement ratios were 4, 8, 12, and 16% and air cured for 7, 14, and 28 days. For recycling of resources, a blast furnace slag was also used with sodium hydroxide as an alkaline activator. The shear wave velocity for cemented soils was measured and then unconfined compressive strength test was carried out. As a cement ratio increased, the shear wave velocity and unconfined compressive strength increased due to increased density and denser structure. The relation between unconfined compressive strength and shear wave velocity increased nonlinearly for cemented soils with less than 16% of cement ratio.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2010

To improve accuracy of the immunohistochemical testing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study as well as a routine histology diagnosis in breast cancer, quality improvement for optimal tissue handling is mandatory. We evaluate fraction defective of 7107 blocks from 349 breast cancer patients, who underwent surgical treatment at Samsung Medical Center Seoul, Korea from January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. We decided pre-improvement period from January, 2009 to June, 2009. In the first quality improvement period (July, 2009 to September, 2009) we made improvements in protocol of gross examination. In the second quality improvement period (October, 2009 to December, 2009) we attempted more effective formalin fixation such as frequent exchange of formalin and use of separate fixation container for each case. In the third quality improvement period (January, 2010 to March, 2010) improvement of tissue processor was performed. We achieved a marked reduction of fraction defective (9-16%) through efforts to improve quality of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks when compared to pre-improvement period.