• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2022

Despite recent breakthroughs in deep learning and computer vision fields, the pixel-wise identification of tiny objects in high-resolution images with complex disturbances remains challenging. This study proposes a modified U-net for tiny crack segmentation in real-world steel-box-girder bridges. The modified U-net adopts the common U-net framework and a novel Self-Attention-Self-Adaption (SASA) neuron as the fundamental computing element. The Self-Attention module applies softmax and gate operations to obtain the attention vector. It enables the neuron to focus on the most significant receptive fields when processing large-scale feature maps. The Self-Adaption module consists of a multiplayer perceptron subnet and achieves deeper feature extraction inside a single neuron. For data augmentation, a grid-based crack random elastic deformation (CRED) algorithm is designed to enrich the diversities and irregular shapes of distributed cracks. Grid-based uniform control nodes are first set on both input images and binary labels, random offsets are then employed on these control nodes, and bilinear interpolation is performed for the rest pixels. The proposed SASA neuron and CRED algorithm are simultaneously deployed to train the modified U-net. 200 raw images with a high resolution of 4928 × 3264 are collected, 160 for training and the rest 40 for the test. 512 × 512 patches are generated from the original images by a sliding window with an overlap of 256 as inputs. Results show that the average IoU between the recognized and ground-truth cracks reaches 0.409, which is 29.8% higher than the regular U-net. A five-fold cross-validation study is performed to verify that the proposed method is robust to different training and test images. Ablation experiments further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed SASA neuron and CRED algorithm. Promotions of the average IoU individually utilizing the SASA and CRED module add up to the final promotion of the full model, indicating that the SASA and CRED modules contribute to the different stages of model and data in the training process.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.251-260
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• 2023

The construction of free-form structures with intricate curved exteriors necessitates the use of bespoke molds. To fulfill this requirement, a blend of Phase Change Material(PCM) and Ultra-High Performance Concrete(UHPC) is utilized. PCM endows the solution with recyclability, while UHPC facilitates the effortless execution of curvature in the mold fabrication process. However, it's worth mentioning that the melting point of PCM hovers around 58-64℃, and the heat emanating from UHPC's hydration process can potentially jeopardize the integrity of the PCM mold. Hence, experimental validation of the mold shape is a prerequisite. In the conducted experiment, UHPC was poured into two distinct mold types: one that incorporated a 3mm silicone sheet mounted on the fabricated PCM mold(Panel A), and the other devoid of the silicone sheet(Panel B). The experimental outcomes revealed that Panel A possessed a thickness of 3.793mm, while Panel B exhibited a thickness of 5.72mm. This suggests that the mold lacking the silicone sheet(Panel B) was more susceptible to the thermal effects of hydration. These investigations furnish invaluable fundamental data for the manufacturing of ultra-high strength irregular panels and PCM molds. They contribute substantially to the enrichment of comprehension and application of these materials within the realm of construction.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4A
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• pp.347-353
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• 2009

The qualitative factors influencing the ingress of chloride ion into concrete are water-binder (W/B) ratio, cement type, age, chloride ion concentration of given environment, wet and dry conditions, etc. Thus, an objective of this experimental research is to investigate the effects of cement types and environmental conditions on the chloride ion diffusion characteristics in concrete through the chloride ion diffusion test. For this purpose, the diffusion coefficients for chloride ion in concrete with three types of cement such as ordinary portland cement (OPC), binary blended cement (BBC), and ternary blended cement (TBC), were measured for the concrete specimens with W/B ratios of 32%, 38%, and 43%, respectively. The diffusion coefficients for chloride ion were also measured for the concrete specimens with W/B ratio of 43%, which were subjected to standard curing and field exposure conditions. It was observed from the test results that the resistance against chloride ion penetration increased with decreasing W/B ratio and those of BBC and TBC concretes were greater than that of OPC concrete. Therefore, it was revealed that the use of these cements containing mineral admixtures is required to extend the service life of RC structures exposed to chloride environment. On the other hand, it was noted that the resistance against chloride ion penetration of field exposure test specimens was slightly lower than that of standard curing test specimens due to the penetration of chloride ion under the irregular ambient temperature, splash of wave, and cycle of wet and dry.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.135-146
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• 2011

Steel structures have been generally painted to prevent corrosion damage. However, the painted film is deteriorated with increase in service life, and then corrosion damage resulting in cross sectional area occurs on steel surface. As a result, the buckling strength of steel structures can be decreased due to the corrosion damages. The evaluation method of the axial buckling strength of columns about a variety of section shapes and supporting conditions have been presented, but evaluation method of buckling strength about irregular nonprismatic columns is not established. In this study, the axial buckling strength of corroded steels was evaluated based on the buckling test results of corroded steel specimens that were cut off at a temporary steel structure. The corroded specimens were picked up total 10 specimens according to various slenderness ratio from the web of a temporary structure's main beam. The length of specimens is 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600mm respectively. The rust productions were removed by the chemical treatment. Then, the surface geometry was measured at intervals of $1{\times}1mm$ by using the optical 3D digitizing system, and the residual thickness of the specimens was calculated. The axial buckling test was performed on 10 corroded specimens and 12 non-corroded specimens under the fixed-fixed support condition. From the test results, the effect of corrosion damages on axial buckling load was investigated. Regardless of corrosion damage degree, the axial buckling strength of corroded specimens and non-corroded specimens was evaluated identically by using minimum average residual thickness or average residual thickness to minus its standard deviation. Reasonable measuring intervals of residual thickness was proposed by using the results to apply for practical works.

• 한국석유지질학회:학술대회논문집
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• autumn
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• pp.63-65
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• 2001

The Chosen Supergroup (Cambro-Ordovician), mid-east Korea consists mainly of shallow marine carbonates and contains a variety of limestone conglomerates. These conglomerates largely comprise oligomictic, rounded lime-mudstone clasts of various size and shape (equant, oval, discoidal, tabular, and irregular) and dolomitic shale matrices. Most clasts are characterized by jigsaw-fit (mosaic), disorganized, or edgewise fabric and autoclastic lithology. Each conglomerate layer is commonly interbedded with limestone-dolomitic shale couplets and occasionally underlain by fractured limestone layer, capped by calcareous shale. According to composition, characteristic sedimentary structures, and fabric, limestone conglomerates in the Hwajol, Tumugol, Makkol, and Mungok formations of Chosen Supergroup can be classified into 4 types: (1) disorganized polymictic conglomerate (Cd), (2) horizontally stratified polymictic conglomerate (Cs), (3) mosaic conglomerate (Cm), and (4) disorganized/edgewise oligomictic conglomerate (Cd/e). These conglomerates are either depositional (Cd and Cs) or diagenetic (Cm and Cd/e) in origin. Depositional conglomerates are interpreted as storm deposits, tidal channel fills, or transgressive lag deposits. On the other hand, diagenetic conglomerates are not deposited by normal sedimentary processes, but formed by post-depositional diagenetic processes. Diagenetic conglomerates in the Chosen Supergroup are characterized by autoclastic and oligomictic lithology of lime-mudstone clasts, jigsaw-fit (mosaic) fabric, edgewise fabric, and a gradual transition from the underlying bed (Table 1). Autoclastic and oligomictic lithologies may be indicative of subsurface brecciation (fragmentation). Consolidation of lime-mudstone clasts pre-requisite for brecciation may result from dissolution and reprecipitation of CaCO3 by degradation of organic matter during burial. Jigsaw-fit fabric has been considered as evidence for in situ fragmentation. The edgewise fabric is most likely formed by expulsion of pore fluid during compaction. The lower boundary of intraformational conglomerates of depositional origin is commonly sharp and erosional. In contrast, diagenetic conglomerate layers mostly show a gradual transition from the underlying unit, which is indicative of progressive fragmentation upward (Fig. 1). The underlying fractured limestone layer also shows evidence for in situ fragmentation such as jigsaw-fit fabric and the same lithology as the overlying conglomerate layer (Fig, 1). Evidence from the conglomerate beds in the Chosen Supergroup suggests that diagenetic conglomerates are formed by in situ subsurface fragmentation of limestone layers and rounding of the fragments. In situ subsurface fragmentation may be primarily due to compaction, dewatering (upward-moving pore fluids), and dissolution, accompanying volume reduction. This process commonly occurs under the conditions of (1) alternating layers of carbonate-rich and carbonate-poor sediments and (B) early differential cementation of carbonate-rich layers. Differential cementation commonly takes place between alternating beds of carbonate-rich and clay-rich layers, because high carbonate content promotes cementation, whereas clay inhibits cementation. After deposition of alternating beds and differential cementation, with progressive burial, upward-moving pore fluid may raise pore-pressure in the upper part of limestone layers, due to commonly overlying impermeable shale layers (or beds). The high pore-pressure may reinforce propagation of fragmentation and cause upward-expulsion of pore fluid which probably produces edgewise fabric of tabular clasts. The fluidized flow then extends laterally, causing reorientation and further rounding of clasts. This process is analogous to that of autobrecciation, which can be analogously termed autoconglomeration. This is a fragmentation and rounding process whereby earlier semiconsolidated portions of limestone are incorporated into still fluid portions. The rounding may be due mainly to immiscibility and surface tension of lime-mud. The progressive rounding of the fragmented clasts probably results from grain attrition by fluidized flow. A synthetic study of limestone conglomerate beds in the Chosen Supergroup suggests that very small percent of the conglomerate layers are of depositional origin, whereas the rest, more than $80\%$, are of diagenetic origin. The common occurrence of diagenetic conglomerates warrants further study on limestone conglomerates elsewhere in the world.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.211-216
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• 2018

The recovery of rare earth elements (REE) including La, Nd and Ce from spent batteries is important issues to reuse scarce resources. Herein, we present a simple recovery process to obtain lanthanum oxide ($La_2O_3$) from spent Ni-MH batteries, and demonstrate the conversion mechanism from $NaLa(SO_4)_2{\cdot}H_2O$ to $La_2O_3$. This strategy requires the initial preparation of $NaLa(SO_4)_2{\cdot}H_2O$ and subsequent metathesis reaction with $Na_2CO_3$ at $70^{\circ}C$. This metathesis reaction resulted in the crystalline lanthanum carbonate hydrate ($La_2(CO_3)_3{\cdot}xH_2O$) powder with plate-like morphology. On the basis of TGA result, the $La_2(CO_3)_3{\cdot}xH_2O$ powder was calcined in air at three different temperatures, that is, $300^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$, and $1000^{\circ}C$. As the calcination temperature increased, the morphology of powder was changed; prism-like ($NaLa(SO_4)_2{\cdot}H_2O$) ${\rightarrow}$ platelike ($La_2(CO_3)_3{\cdot}xH_2O$) ${\rightarrow}$ aggregated irregular shape ($La_2O_3$). Futhermore, XRD results indicated that the crystalline $La_2O_3$ could be synthesized after the metathesis reaction with $Na_2CO_3$, followed by heat-treatment at $1000^{\circ}C$, along with a change of crystallographic structures; $NaLa(SO_4)_2{\cdot}H_2O$ ${\rightarrow}$ $La_2(CO_3)_3{\cdot}xH_2O$ ${\rightarrow}$ $La_2O_3$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-64
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• 2014

Seabed beneath and near the coastal structures may undergo large excess pore water pressure composed of oscillatory and residual components in the case of long durations of high wave loading. This excess pore water pressure may reduce effective stress and, consequently, the seabed may liquefy. If the liquefaction occurs in the seabed, the structure may sink, overturn, and eventually fail. Especially, the seabed liquefaction behavior beneath a gravity-based structure under wave loading should be evaluated and considered for design purpose. In this study, to evaluate the liquefaction potential on the seabed, numerical analysis was conducted using 2-dimensional numerical wave tank. The 2-dimensional numerical wave tank was expanded to account for irregular wave fields, and to calculate the dynamic wave pressure and water particle velocity acting on the seabed and the surface boundary of the structure. The simulation results of the wave pressure and the shear stress induced by water particle velocity were used as inputs to a FLIP(Finite element analysis LIquefaction Program). Then, the FLIP evaluated the time and spatial variations in excess pore water pressure, effective stress and liquefaction potential in the seabed. Additionally, the deformation of the seabed and the displacement of the structure as a function of time were quantitatively evaluated. From the analysis, when the shear stress was considered, the liquefaction at the seabed in front of the structure was identified. Since the liquefied seabed particles have no resistance force, scour can possibly occur on the seabed. Therefore, the strength decrease of the seabed at the front of the structure due to high wave loading for the longer period of time such as a storm can increase the structural motion and consequently influence the stability of the structure.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.12-26
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• 2014

This study has researched the forms of arrangement and use of the oddly shaped stones which were used at palaces during Joseon Dynasty based on arrangements of stones as shown in Donggwoldo(東闕圖), and tried to identify its special features. The sorts of stone's arrangements which set formal patterns by assisting an axis in Donggwoldo can be classified as the single type using one stone, the symmetrical type using 2 stones symmetrically and the parallel type using 3 or more stones. The single type was used to endow a focal point and to accent centrality by arranging a stone on the axis performed from formal shaped buildings. The symmetrical type was used to show order and hierarchy by placing two odd-shaped stones on either side of a building. And the parallel type which is arranged three stones side by side, is put a middle stone on the central axis line to determine strong directional and frontality. Also similarity to method of arrangement of stones can be found from planting trees in a prominent way for scenery or planting trees symmetrically. Stones and trees can be chosen according to nature and scale of places and basically their effects of formation of axis and creating typical space is same. Based on these respect, the characteristics of arrangement of stones shown in Donggwoldo can be briefly summarized as follows. First, the oddly shaped stones were used by creating a centripetal space in order to show a grade of rank. Second, the distances among stones could be adjusted to the sizes of the architecture which was at the center. The aim was to provide stability through the balanced composition between the central axis and symmetrical structures. Third, the form of regularity was added by using stone vase in consideration of irregular shape of stone causing interference in forming regular symmetry. Fourth, a centrality was emphasized by adding change to central stones in the parallel type used 3 erect stones. Fifth, the sizes of stone were limited in order to make smooth for the mix and adjustment of its position with the types of other garden ornaments, so the oddly shaped stones in palace have portability. Sixth, the oddly shaped stones in palace which were appreciated as inspirational object basically were a sculpture of the same quality with suiseki (壽石), and the appreciative method, the composition and shape had developed in the same texture. Finally, the even number of stones by parallel type were arranged by equal partition. But odd number of stones followed the method with symmetrical arrangement on its center stone. These principles of stone arrangement are judged as distinguishing methods which oddly shaped stones was made and used in Joseon palaces.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.131-140
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the ablation rate of Er: YAG laser irradiation on dentin and enamel and to observe the microscopic structures of cavities formed after ablation of enamel and dentin in using a bur and cavities formed after ablation using laser. Er:YAG laser irradiated at 200 mJ, 250mJ, 300mJ at the frequency of 20Hz, 15Hz. The following results were obtained : 1. The ablation rate of dentin groups at power of 3 W-6 W was about $1.103{\sim}2.639mm^3/sec$ and there were no significant differences between power of 4.5 W$\sim$6 W. 2. The ablation rate of enamel groups at power of 3 W-6 W was about $0.413{\sim}0.969mm^3/sec$ and there were no significant differences between power of 4 W$\sim$6 W. 3. With SEM examination of the cavity surface treated with the conventional high speed bur revealed relatively flat appearance almost covered with a debris like smear layer. 4. With SEM examination of the lased surface of dentin groups revealed no smear layer and no debris and openings of dentinal tubules were clearly opened. But the lased surfaces of the groups over 3 W were irregular and particles were loosely attached on it. 5. With SEM examination of the lased surface of enamel groups revealed severely destructed surface at the 6 W group and melting drop materials at the 3 W group. But the lased surface of 4 W group revealed clearly ablated surface. Therefore when cutting teeth using Er:YAG laser, the lasing power which can make effective ablation rate and minimize the thermal effect could be 3W at dentin and 4W at enamel. But, further studies and additional data collection will be necessary for appropriate lasing condition of Er:YAG laser.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.720-731
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• 2003

Statement of problem. The importance of fixture design and surface treatment. Purpose. The clinical success of dental in plants is affected by many factors such like as degree of osseointegration, the effective load dispersion for the prostheses, and a lot of attempts have been made to overcome the difficulties. In this study, efforts were made to find the possibility of clinical acceptance of the dental implants of newly designed surface and resorbable blast media surcace. Materials and methods. In this study, two groups of custom-made, screw-shaped implants were prepared. The first with the consisting of Branemark clone design and the other with the new design. These implants were divided into four groups according to the kinds of surface treatment. Four implants($AVANA^{(R)}$, Osstem, Busan, Korea)of each group were installed in twenty rabbits. Group A was consisted of Branemark done implant left as machined, Group B with Branemark clone implants with RBM(Resorbable blast media) surface, Group C with newly designed implants left as machined and Group D with newly designed implants with RBM surface. One of the twenty rabbits died from inflammation and the observation was made for six weeks. Specimens from four groups were observed using scanning electron microscopy with 40, 100, 1000 magnification power and microsurface structures were measured by white-light scanning interferometry for three dimensional surface roughness measurements(Accura $2000^{(R)}$, Intek-Plus, Korea.). Removal torque was measured in 17 rabbits using digital torque gauge(MGT 12R, Mark-10 corp., NY, U.S.A.) immediately after the sacrifice and two rabbits were used for the histologic preparation(EXAKT $310^{(R)}$, Heraeus Kulzer, wehrheim, Germany) of specimens and observed under light microscope. Resonance frequency measurement($Osstell^{(R)}$) was taken with the 19 rabbits at the beginning of the implant fixation and immediately after the sacrifice. Results. Following results were taken from the experiment. 1. The surface of the RBM implants as seen with SEM had rough and irregular pattern with reticular formation compared to that of fumed specimens showing different surface topographies. 2. The newly designed implant with RBM surface had high removal torque value among four groups with no statistical significance. The average removal torque was $49.95{\pm}6.70Ncm$ in Group A, $51.15{\pm}4.40Ncm$ in Group B, $50.78{\pm}9.37Ncm$ in Group C, $51.09{\pm}4.69Ncm$ in Group D. 3. The RFA values were $70.8{\pm}4.3Hz$ in Group A, $71.8{\pm}3.1Hz$ in Group B, $70.9{\pm}2.5Hz$, $72.7{\pm}2.5Hz$ in Group D. Higher values were noted in the groups which had surface treatment compared to the untreated groups with no statistical significance. 4. The results from the histomorphometric evaluation showed a mean percentage of bone-to-implant contact of $45{\pm}0.5%$ in Group A, $55{\pm}3%$ in Group B, $49.5{\pm}0.5%$ in Group C, and $55{\pm}3%$ in Group D. Quite amount of newly formed bone were observed at the surface RBM-treated implants in bone marrow space.