• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5A
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• pp.719-727
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• 2008

The tensile and bond performance of GFRP rebar are different from those of conventional steel reinforcement. It requires some studies on concrete members reinforced with GFRP reinforcing bars to apply it to concrete structures. GFRP has some advantages such as high specific strength, low weight, non-corrosive nature, and disadvantage of larger deflection due to the lower modulus of elasticity than that of steel. Bridge deck is a preferred structure to apply FRP rebars due to the increase of flexural capacity by arching action. This paper focuses on the behavior of concrete bridge deck reinforced with newly developed GFRP rebars. A total of three real size bridge deck specimens were made and tested. Main variables are the type of reinforcing bar and reinforcement ratio. Static test was performed with the load of DB-24 level until failure. Test results were compared and analyzed with ultimate load, deflection behavior, crack pattern and width.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2002

Silica-filled rubber compounds show poor filler dispersion and slow cure characteristics compared to carbon black-filled ones. In general, a silica-filled rubber compound contains silane coupling agent (bis-(3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl)-tetrasulfide, TESPT) and diphenylguanidine (DPG) to improve the filler dispersion and to make fast cure characteristics. Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) improves the filler dispersion in silica-filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds. In this study, effect of NBR on the properties of silica-filled SBR compounds was investigated. Properties of the compounds which contain NBR without DPG or with small amount of TESPT (Compound A) were compared with those of the compounds which contain TESPT and DPG without NBR (Compound B). Scorch time of Compound A is faster than those of Compound B. Modulus and tensile strength of Comound A are slightly lower than those of Compound B. Traction property of the Comound A is better than that of the Compound B. Addition of NBR leads to reduction of the used amount of TESPT and DPG.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1D
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• pp.45-55
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• 2008

The objective of this research was to develop a VEPCD (ViscoElastoPlastic Continuum Damage) Model which is used to predict the behavior of asphalt concrete under various loading and temperature conditions. This paper presents the VEPCD model formulated in a tension mode and its validation using four hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures: dense-graded HMA, SBS, CR-TB, and Terpolymer. Modelling approaches consist of two components: the ViscoElastic Continuum Damage (VECD) mechanics and the ViscoPlastic (VP) theory. The VECD model was to describe the time-dependent behavior of HMA with growing damage. The irrecoverable (whether time-dependent or independent) strain has been described by the VP model. Based on the strain decomposition principle, these two models are integrated to form the VEPCD model. For validating the VEPCD model, two types of laboratory tests were performed: 1) a constant crosshead strain rate tension test, 2) a fatigue test with randomly selected load levels and frequencies.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4A
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• pp.267-279
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• 2009

A numerical model that can simulate the nonlinear behavior of ultra high strength fiber reinforced concrete (UHSFRC) structures subjected to monotonic loading is introduced. The material properties of UHSFRC, such as compressive and tensile strength or elastic modulus, are different from normal strength reinforced concrete. The uniaxial compressive stress-strain relationship of UHSFRC is designed on the basis of experimental result, and the equivalent uniaxial stress-strain relationship is introduced for proper estimation of UHSFRC structures. The steel is uniformly distributed over the concrete matrix with particular orientation angle. In advance, this paper introduces a numerical model that can simulate the tension-stiffening behavior of tension part of the axial member on the basis of the bond-slip relationship. The reaction of steel fiber is considered for the numerical model after cracks of the concrete matrix with steel fibers are formed. Finally, the introduced numerical model is validated by comparison with test results for idealized UHSFRC beams.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.369-376
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• 2023

This study focuses on investigating the influence of epoxy polymer crosslinking density, a crucial aspect in composite material matrices, on the yield surface using molecular dynamics simulations. Our approach involved generating epoxy models with diverse crosslinking densities and subjecting them to both uniaxial and multiaxial deformation simulations, accounting for the elasto-plastic deformation behaviors. Through this, we obtained key mechanical parameters including elastic modulus, yield point, and strain hardening coefficient, all correlated with crosslinking conversion ratios. A particularly noteworthy finding is the rapid expansion of the yield surface in the biaxial compression region with increasing crosslinking ratios, compared to the uniaxial tensile region. This unique behavior led to observable yield surface variations, indicating a significant pressure-dependent relationship of the yield surface considering plastic strain and crosslinking conversion ratio. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between crosslinking density and plastic mechanical response, especially in the aspect of multiaxial deformation behaviors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2024

Determination of jointed rock mass properties plays a significant role in the design and construction of underground structures such as tunneling and mining. Rock mass classification systems such as Rock Mass Rating (RMR), Rock Mass Index (RMi), Rock Mass Quality (Q), and deformation modulus (Em) are determined from the jointed rock masses. However, parameters of jointed rock masses can be affected by the tunnel depth below the surface due to the effect of the in situ stresses. In addition, the geomechanical properties of rocks change due to the effect of metamorphism. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to apply correlation analysis to investigate the relationships between rock mass properties and some parameters related to the depth of the tunnel studied. For this purpose, the field work consisted of determining rock mass parameters in a tunnel alignment (~7.1 km) at varying depths from 21 m to 431 m below ground surface. At the same excavation depths, thirty-seven rock types were also sampled and tested in the laboratory. Correlations were made between vertical stress and depth, horizontal/vertical stress ratio (k) and depth, k and Em, k and RMi, k and point load index (PLI), k and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), Em and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), UCS and PLI, UCS and BTS. Relationships were significant (significance level=0.000) at the confidence interval of 95% (r = 0.77-0.88) between the data pairs for the rocks taken from depths greater than 166 m where the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress is between 0.6 and 1.2. The in-situ stress parameters affected rock mass properties as well as metamorphism which affected the geomechanical properties of rock materials by affecting the behavior of minerals and textures within rocks. This study revealed that in-situ stress parameters and metamorphism should be reviewed when tunnel studies are carried out.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.167-181
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• 2024

The soil-structure relative stiffness is a key factor affecting the seismic response of underground structures. It is of great significance to study the soil-structure relative stiffness for the soil-structure interaction and the seismic disaster reduction of subway stations. In this paper, the dynamic shear modulus ratio and damping ratio of an inhomogeneous soft soil site under different buried depths which were obtained by a one-dimensional equivalent linearization site response analysis were used as the input parameters in a 2D finite element model. A visco-elasto-plastic constitutive model based on the Mohr-Coulomb shear failure criterion combined with stiffness degradation was used to describe the plastic behavior of soil. The damage plasticity model was used to simulate the plastic behavior of concrete. The horizontal and vertical relative stiffness ratios of soil and structure were defined to study the influence of relative stiffness on the seismic response of subway stations in inhomogeneous soft soil. It is found that the compression damage to the middle columns of a subway station with a higher relative stiffness ratio is more serious while the tensile damage is slighter under the same earthquake motion. The relative stiffness has a significant influence on ground surface deformation, ground acceleration, and station structure deformation. However, the effect of the relative stiffness on the deformation of the bottom slab of the subway station is small. The research results can provide a reference for seismic fortification of subway stations in the soft soil area.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.511-525
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• 2024

Underground openings significantly affect the mechanical stability of underground spaces and create damaged zones. This study investigated the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics associated with the formation of damaged zones around circular openings. Uniaxial compression experiments were conducted on three types of rock specimens, namely, granite (GN-1 and GN-2), gabbro (GB), and slate (SL), containing a circular opening. AE and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques were used to monitor and evaluate the damaged zones near the circular openings. The AE characteristics were evaluated using AE parameters, including count, energy, amplitude, average frequency, and RA value. The DIC results revealed that the estimated diameters of the damaged zones of GN-1, GN-2, GB, and SL were 1.66D, 1.53D, 1.49D, and 1.9D, respectively. The average displacements at the surface of the damaged zones for these specimens were 0.814, 0.786, 0.661, and 0.673 mm, respectively, thus demonstrating a strong correlation with Young's modulus. The AE analysis with DIC revealed that tensile failure occurred in the direction parallel to the maximum compression axis as the load increased. Thus, this study provides fundamental data for a comprehensive analysis of damaged zones in underground openings and will facilitate the optimization of rock engineering projects and safety assessments thereof.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.205-220
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• 2024

Various polylactic acid (PLA) blends were reinforced with untreated or silane-treated micro-sized cellulose fiber (MCF), successfully prepared as 3D printing filaments and then printed using a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. In this study, we focused on developing 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites through silane treatment of MCF and investigating the effect of silane treatment on the various properties of FFF 3D-printed composites. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the increase in hydrophobic properties of silane-treated MCF by showing the new absorption peaks at 1,100 cm^-1, 1,030 cm^-1, and 815 cm^-1 representing C-NH₂, Si-O-Si, and Si-CH₂ bonds, respectively. In scanning electron microscope images of silane-treated MCF filled PLA composites, the improved interfacial adhesion between MCF and PLA matrix was observed. The mechanical properties of the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites with silane-treated MCF were improved compared to those of the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites with untreated MCF. In particular, the highest tensile and flexural modulus values were observed for S-MCF10 (5,784.77 MPa) and S-MCF5 (2,441.67 MPa), respectively. The thermal stability of silane-treated MCF was enhanced by delaying the initial thermal decomposition temperature compared to untreated MCF. The thermal decomposition temperature difference at T₉₅ was around 26℃. This study suggests that the effect of silane treatment on the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites is effective and promising.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.1068-1075
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• 2012

Poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/Nylon6,12 core/shell micro fiber were prepared by extrusion molding. To investigate their optimum extrusion conditions, compatibility of PBT/Nylon6,12 blend micro fiber in conformity to their weight ratio and manufacture temperature was explored with SEM morphology and DSC. The alterations in their mechanical properties by extrusion speed were compared and analyzed through a UTM. In comparison with SEM figures, the domain sizes of Nylon6,12 were gradually declined by increasing the extrusion temperature of blends. Furthermore, according to these SEM images, the phase separation between Nylon6,12 domain and PBT matrix became indistinct with increasing of weight percentage of Nylon6,12. In case of DSC, the boundaries of two peaks were almost disappeared when increasing the extrusion temperature and also intervals of each two melting peaks became narrow as increasing the Nylon6,12 ratio. The mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength and flexural modulus were increased as the increase in the extrusion temperature until $260^{\circ}C$. However, the mechanical properties were actually deteriorated over $260^{\circ}C$. The tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength and flexural modulus at $260^{\circ}C$ were 560 $kg_f/cm^2$, 220%, 807 $kg_f/cm^2$ and 22,146 $kg_f/cm^2$, respectively. These values are more than intermediate values of mechanical properties of PBT and Nylon6,12. These results mean that there is compatibility between PBT and Nylon6,12. Based on the extrusion conditions that produced optimum compatibility of blend, as a result, our group obtained micro fibers with the core/shell structure.