• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.448-454
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to develop a 100 kPa soil tensiometer mainly consisted of a porous ceramic cup, water-holding tube, and a digital vacuum gauge, through theoretical design analysis and experimental performance evaluation. Major findings were as follows. 1. Theoretical analysis showed that air entry value of a porous media decreased as the maximum effective size of the pore increased, and the maximum diameter of the pores was $2.9\;{\mu}m$ for measuring up a 100 kPa of soil-water tension. 2. Property analysis of tensiometer porous cups supplied in Korean domestic market indicated that main components were $SiO_2$ and $Al_2O_3$ with a porosity range of $33.8{\sim}49.3%$. 3. The porous cup selected through sample fabrication and air-permeability tests showed weight ratios of 87% and 11% for $Al_2O_3$ and $SiO_2$. The analysis of SEM (scanning electron microscope) images showed that the sample was sintered at temperatures of about $1150^{\circ}C$, which consisted of pores with sizes of up to 25% of those for commercial porous cups. 4. The prototype soil tensiometer was fabricated using the developed porous cup and a digital vacuum gauge that could measure water tension with a pressure of 85 kPa in air tests. 5. In-soil tests of the prototype conducted during a period of 25-day drying showed that soil-water tension values measured with the prototype and commercial units were not significantly different, and soil-water characteristic curves could be established for different soils, confirming accuracy and stability of the prototype.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.1083-1095
• /
• 2016

The design of Prototype Gen-IV Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor (PGSFR) has been developed and the validation and verification (V&V) activities to demonstrate the system performance and safety are in progress. In this paper, the current status of test activities is described briefly and significant results are discussed. The large-scale sodium thermal-hydraulic test program, Sodium Test Loop for Safety Simulation and Assessment-1 (STELLA-1), produced satisfactory results, which were used for the computer codes V&V, and the performance test results of the model pump in sodiumshowed good agreement with those in water. The second phase of the STELLA program with the integral effect tests facility, STELLA-2, is in the detailed design stage of the design process. The sodium thermal-hydraulic experiment loop for finned-tube sodium-to-air heat exchanger performance test, the intermediate heat exchanger test facility, and the test facility for the reactor flow distribution are underway. Flow characteristics test in subchannels of a wire-wrapped rod bundle has been carried out for safety analysis in the core and the dynamic characteristic test of upper internal structure has been performed for the seismic analysis model for the PGSFR. The performance tests for control rod assemblies (CRAs) have been conducted for control rod drive mechanism driving parts and drop tests of the CRA under scram condition were performed. Finally, three types of inspection sensors under development for the safe operation of the PGSFR were explained with significant results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2009.09a
• /
• pp.905-912
• /
• 2009

1-g shaking table test is conducted to evaluate the dynamic behavior of a soil-structure system under seismic loading condition. A consistent similitude law between the model and prototype is needed to predict the behavior of the prototype structure, quantitatively. The natural frequency of geomaterial decreases with the increase of shaking intensity because of the non-linear property of the geomaterial. This phenomenon affects the applicability of similitude laws in 1-g shaking table tests. In this study, a simple method is suggested to determine the frequency of the input motions in 1-g tests in order to enhance the applicability of similitude laws. Modified input frequency is calculated using the frequency ratio with consideration of the variation of the natural frequency according to the intensity of input ground acceleration. To verify the applicability of the suggested method, a series of 1-g shaking table tests were performed for three different sizes of model piles having an overburden mass on their heads by varying the acceleration and the frequency of input motion. The acceleration amplification ratio on the overburden mass, the lateral displacement at the pile head and the maximum bending moment along the pile depth were measured. The projected behaviors of the virtual prototype based on the measured values of the model tests, where the input frequencies were calculated by the new method, showed good consistency, verifying the applicability of the suggested method.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.277-294
• /
• 2012

The aim of the study is to determine the modal parameters of a prototype damaged arch dam by operational modal analysis (OMA) method for some damage scenarios. For this purpose, a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation model is constructed under laboratory conditions. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam model are performed to identify the modal parameters such as natural frequency, mode shape and damping ratio. The tests are conducted for four test-case scenarios: an undamaged dam with empty reservoir, two different damaged dams with empty reservoirs, and a damaged dam with full reservoir. Loading simulating random impact effects is applied on the dam to crack. Cracks and fractures occurred at the middle of the upper part of the dams and distributed through the abutments. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed on the dams' crests to collect signals for measurements. Operational modal analysis software processes the signals collected from the ambient vibration tests, and enhanced frequency domain decomposition and stochastic subspace identification techniques are used to estimate modal parameters of the dams. The modal parameters are obtained to establish a basis for comparison of the results of two techniques for each damage case. Results show that approximately 35-40% difference exists between the natural frequencies obtained from Case 1 and Case 4. The natural frequencies of the dam considerably decrease with increasing cracks. However, observation shows that the filled reservoir slightly affected modal parameters of the dam after severe cracking. The mode shapes obtained are symmetrical and anti-symmetrical. Apparently, mode shapes in Case 1 represent the probable responses of arch dams more accurately. Also, damping ratio show an increase when cracking increases.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.8 no.5 s.39
• /
• pp.35-43
• /
• 2004

Small-scale models have been frequently used for seismic performance tests because of limited testing facilities and economic reasons. However, there are not enough studies on similitude law for analogizing prototype structures accurately with small-scale models, although conventional similitude law based on geometry is not well consistent in the inelastic seismic behavior. When fabricating prototype and small-scale model of reinforced concrete structures by using the same material, added mass is demanded from a volumetric change and scale factor could be limited due to aggregate size. Therefore, it is desirable that different material is used for small-scale models. Thus, a modified similitude law could be derived depending on geometric scale factor, equivalent modulus ratio and ultimate strain ratio. In this study, compressive strength tests are conducted to analyze the equivalent modulus ratio of micro-concrete to normal-concrete. Then, equivalent modulus ratios are divided into multi-phase damage levels, which are basically dependent on ultimate strain level. Therefore, an algorithm adaptable to the pseudodynamic test, considering equivalent multi-phase similitude law based on seismic damage levels, is developed. Test specimens, consisted of prototype structures and 1/5 scaled models as a reinforced concrete column, were designed and fabricated based on the equivalent modulus ratios already defined. Finally quasistatic and pseudodynamic tests on the specimens are carried out using constant and variable modulus ratios, and correlation between prototype and small-scale model is investigated based on their test results. It is confirmed that the equivalent multi-phase similitude law proposed in this study could be suitable for seismic performance tests on small-scale models.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.1021-1024
• /
• 2004

During demonstrations of a process conditioning spent nuclear fuels, it may be necessary to transport modularized parts of process equipment out of a hot cell because of modules' failure or completion of demonstrations. It may be not easy to transport modules because modules will be contaminated. For this purpose, we have developed a prototype of a device transporting radioactive contaminated materials. We have analyzed conditions of a hot cell and requirements of the device, designed and manufactured a scaled-down prototype of the device, and done some performance tests such as running on the rail, running on the flat floor, and carrying capability of a sliding upper part. From the tests, it has been shown that running on the rail and floor was smooth but the sliding part was deflected if the sliding distance was long. These result will be reflected to a design of the improved transporting device which will be used during demonstrations.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.283-297
• /
• 2013

An innovative cage for spinal fusion surgery is presented within this work. The cage utilizes shape memory alloy for its hinge actuation. Because of the use of SMA, a smaller incision is needed which makes the cage deployment minimally invasive. In the development of the cage, a model for predicting the torsional behavior of SMAs was developed and verified experimentally. The prototype design of the cage was developed and manufactured. The prototype was subjected to static tests per ASTM specifications. The cage survived all of the tests, alluding to its safety within the body.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2000.11a
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2000

This paper concerns the distribution of earth pressures on a cantilever wall with unattached reinforcements in the backfill. This type of walls is different from the existing reinforced earth walls in that unattached reinforcements are placed in the backfill of rigid retaining wall such as gravity wall and cantilever wall, instead of connecting reinforcements to the wall segments. Two large-scale prototype tests have been carried out with a 4m high cantilever wall; one with unreinforced backfill, the other with unattached strips in the backfill. The reinforcing effect of unattached strips are discussed based on the earth pressure distribution measured in two large-scale prototype tests. Also, the comparison between measured and predicted earth pressure on a wall with unattached strips are discussed herein to confirm the validity of analytical prediction.

• 한국초전도학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• v.10
• /
• pp.280-284
• /
• 2000

The prototype high-T$_c$ superconducting (HTS) power transmission cables have been designed and fabricated multi layers of spirally wound HTS tapes. The cables were made Bi-2223 based Ag-sheathed HTS tapes, and tested in LN$_2$. Critical currents of 700A dc and better were achieved. The magnetic flux density and field direction were analyzed in the cable configuration. In this paper the results of analysis and tests of HTS power transmission cables were described.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.84-88
• /
• 2000

The main objectives of this study are to compare the obtained mechanical characteristics of reduced-scale model materials with those of the prototype and to provide the information on the best selection of materials. Manufacturing techniques on the micro-concrete and reduced reinforcement are introduced. The test results of these materials are shown to be satisfactory with regard to the similitude requirement. The simple beam tests were performed to verify similitude in the bond behavior between micro-concrete and reduced reinforcement. Those results also prove that these manufacturing and experimental techniques are useful and reliable for reduced-scale model tests.