This study aimed to examine the changes in dry matter yield and growth characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to variations in sowing dates during the autumn season of 2021-22 in a dry paddy field of Chilbo-myeon, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do. Treatments comprised four sowing dates at 10-day intervals, i.e., October 8, October 18, October 28, and November 8, 2021. The winter survival rate of alfalfa showed a significant difference between different treatments but was at a satisfactory level for all (p<0.05). The winter survival rate for the fourth sowing date, a month later than the first sowing date, was approximately 11.7% lower than that for the first sowing date. The plant height ranged between 82.3–93.1 cm and 60.5–63.7 cm at the first and second harvest, respectively, smaller at the second harvest than at the first harvest. The total dry matter yield of alfalfa was the highest at 13,316 kg/ha for the first sowing date, and the later the sowing date, the lower the dry matter yield. The protein content of alfalfa ranged between 13.6–17.3% in the first harvest, lower than the standard alfalfa protein content of 20% or more. In relative feed value, the first sowing (Oct. 8) was the most significantly higher in the first harvest (p<0.05). These results suggest that the early and mid-October sowing dates are optimum for sowing alfalfa during autumn and result in improved plant growth, dry matter yield, protein content, and winter survival compared to those at later sowing dates. Therefore, dry paddy fields can be safely employed for alfalfa cultivation with sowing dates in early and mid-October during autumn.
Barnyard millet (Echinochloa esculenta) can be processed through soiling, hay, and silage, depending on the weather conditions during harvesting. However, research on barnyard millet is insufficient, and standards for cultivar, seeding density, and fertilizers have not been established. This study was conducted to examine the effects of seeding density and seeding methods on dry matter yields. For this, we used the early-maturing (Shirohie millet) variety of the barnyard millet. The experimental design included different seeding density (10 kg/ha, 15 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha (standard seeding density), 25 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha), and different methods of seeding (drill seeding and broadcast seeding). The seeding date was May 13, 2021, and the harvest date was July 13, 2021. Harvesting was carried out when the heading reached 40 %. Lodging occurred at 5, 9 and 7 at 20, 25 and 30 kg/ha densities in the broadcast seeding, but not in the drill seeding. With decreasing density of seeding, tillage number showed an increasing trend in both drill seeding and broadcast seeding (p>0.05). The plant heights were comparable in both drill seeding and broadcast seeding (p>0.05). The heading stage of barnyard millet was checked July 7 for drill seeding, and, on July 8 for broadcast seeding. It took 62 days, i.e., till July 13 for the heading to reach 40 % of the output. The dry matter yield of barnyard millet was significantly higher at the seeding density of 30 kg/ha, for both the methods of seeding (p<0.05). There was no difference in the chemical composition of grain, based on the seeding method and seeding density. However, as the seeding density increased, the CP, NDF, ADF, and TDN contents increased in both drill seeding and broadcast seeding. We found that, the dry matter content was the highest at the seeding density of 30 kg/ha for both the methods of seeding, but this was only 1.3 times higher than that of 10 kg/ha. Considering the seed price and labor force involved in seeding, it is advisable to have a seeding density of 15-20 kg/ha.
PURPOSES : This study analyzes the characteristics of nitrogen oxide concentration by applying titanium dioxide to existing roads in urban areas, using correlation analysis and a generalized linear model.
METHODS : To analyze the characteristics of nitrogen oxide concentration with/without applying titanium dioxide to the urban road segment, data acquisition was conducted for nitrogen oxide concentration, weather information, and traffic information, etc., and a correlation analysis was conducted for each factor, with/without applying titanium dioxide to the roads. In addition, nitrogen oxide concentration generation models with/without the application of titanium dioxide to the roads were estimated using a generalized linear model.
RESULTS : The results demonstrate that relative humidity and temperature were found to be slightly correlated with the nitrogen oxide concentration, both with and without the application of titanium dioxide to the roads; however, wind speed, solar radiation, and traffic volume were found to have somewhat low correlation according to the results of a correlation analysis. Moreover, relative humidity, temperature, solar radiation, and traffic volume were significant when titanium dioxide was applied to the roads, based on the estimated model from a generalized linear model, and the wind speed, solar radiation, and traffic volume were significant for the absence of titanium dioxide on the roads.
CONCLUSIONS : Analytical results indicated that the characteristics of nitrogen oxide concentration vary depending on the application of titanium dioxide to the roads. In particular, when titanium dioxide was applied to the roads, the relative humidity and temperature were analyzed; according to both analyses, i.e., correlation analysis and a generalized linear model, the nitrogen oxide concentration was affected.
PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics of nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentration in an exclusive median bus lane station. The hourly variations of NOx concentration and the effect of traffic volume on NOx concentration were analyzed using NOx measurement data and the number of vehicles at the station.
METHODS : Data were collected using the chemiluminescence method for NOx concentration. Atmospheric information and traffic volume of buses were collected from the Korea Meteorological Administration and Bus Information System, respectively.
RESULTS : As a result, the NO2 concentration in the test section was found to have a strong correlation with those in the atmospheric measurement station located near the test-bed. In addition, the average NOx concentrations in the test section were significantly higher than those of the other monitoring stations due to bus emissions. The average NOx concentration in the exit section was higher than that in the entry section owing to the vehicle’s frequent stops and fuel consumption due to acceleration. During the measurement period, the average NOx concentration was measured as approximately 33 % higher in the exit section than in the entry section. In addition, the NOx concentration at the bus station was found to increase as the bus dwell time increased, rather than the number of bus passages.
CONCLUSIONS : This study provides clear characteristics of the NOx correlations with traffic information in an exclusive median bus lane station. It was shown that the NOx concentration at the bus station increased as the number of passes and bus dwell time increased. According to the coefficient of determination, the dwell time is more closely correlated to the NOx concentration at the bus station than the number of bus passes, indicating that it is a better parameter for predicting NOx concentration at bus stations.
PURPOSES : In this study, the characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations under different weather conditions of different types of bus stops, such as enclosed-type and open-type bus stops, were analyzed using statistical methods.
METHODS : Data was collected inside and outside an enclosed bus stop on sunny and rainy days to compare and analyze the characteristics of fine particulate matter concentration in the target bus stop. The probability distributions were estimated for each data point using the Anderson–Darling test. Based on the estimated probability distributions, probability density functions were computed, and the values were used to estimate and compare probability for each air quality index inside and outside the bus stop under different weather conditions RESULTS : For the results of descriptive statistics, the average concentrations of fine particulate matter inside and outside the bus stop were 42.296 and 35.482 μg/m3 on a sunny day and 40.831 and 39.321 μg/m3 on a rainy day, respectively. Results of the statistical method, obtained using the Anderson-Darling test, indicate that the probability of the air quality index inside the bus stop reaching high concentrations on a sunny day was "high" or "very high," compared to that outside the bus stop. However, on rainy days, the differences in fine particulate matter concentrations inside and outside the bus stops were difficult to identify based on statistical evidence. CONCLUSIONS : It was found that the open-type bus stop had an advantage of preventing fine particulate matter effects on sunny days, compared to the enclosed-type bus stops. Furthermore, there were slight differences in fine particulate matter concentrations inside and outside the bus stop on a rainy day because of atmospheric flow and stormwater.
PURPOSES : This study analyzes the characteristics of generated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) at roadsides using a statistical method, namely, a generalized linear model (GLM). The study also investigates the applicability and capability of a machine learning methods such as a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) for predicting PM2.5 and NOX generations.
METHODS : To analyze the characteristics of PM2.5 and NOX generations at roadsides, data acquisition was conducted in a specific segment of roads, and PM2.5 and NOX prediction models were estimated using GLM. In addition, to investigate the applicability and capability of a machine learning methods, PM2.5 and NOX prediction models were estimated using a GRNN and were compared with models employing previously estimated GLMs using r-square, mean absolute deviation (MAD), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean square error (RMSE) as parameters.
RESULTS : Results revealed that relative humidity, wind speed, and traffic volume were significant for both PM2.5 and NOX prediction models based on estimated models from a GLM. In addition, to compare the applicability and capability of the GLM and GRNN models (i.e., PM2.5 and NOX prediction models), the GRNN model of PM2.5 and NOX prediction was found to yield better statistical significance for r-square, MAD, MAPE, and RMSE as compared with the same parameters used in the GLM.
CONCLUSIONS : Analytical results indicated that a higher relative humidity and traffic volume could lead to higher PM2.5 and NOX concentrations. By contrast, lower wind speed could affect higher PM2.5 and NOX concentrations at roadsides. In addition, based on a comparison of two statistical methods (i.e., GLM and GRNN models used to estimate PM2.5 and NOX), GRNN model yielded better statistical significance as compared with GLM.
PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the shear and tensile strength properties of adhesive road studs in asphalt and concrete pavements.
METHODS: The 300 mm×300 mm×50 mm rectangular specimens were fabricated using asphalt and concrete mixture for installation of road studs. Four 140-mm-radius circular areas were milled on each specimen with depth of 5 mm to install the adhesive road studs. About 100 g of thermal melting adhesive was applied on the milled area, and then the road stud was bonded onto the surface of the asphalt and concrete mixture. Direct shear testing was conducted at a speed of 5 mm/min on the interface between road stud and asphalt and concrete materials. Tensile strength testing was also conducted on the prepared specimens by applying load with increase of 50 kPa per second. These tests were performed not only in dry condition but also in wet condition to determine the effect of moisture on the shear and tensile strengths.
RESULTS : According to the shear testing results, the average shear strength of asphalt samples in dry and wet conditions are 0.509 and 0.234 MPa, respectively. From this testing, the shear strength of wet sample was found to be decreased by 50% with respect to that of the dry sample. Similar trends can be observed on the concrete samples. The average tensile strength of asphalt samples was 0.187 MPa at 1.5 mm of displacement in dry condition. The concrete sample has a 0.222 MPa average tensile strength, which is slightly higher than that of the asphalt sample because of the rough surface characteristics of the concrete sample.
CONCLUSIONS: It is determined from this study that the shear and tensile strengths of road stud bonded on the surface of asphalt mixture are slightly lower than those on concrete samples. Regardless of the pavement type, the wet conditioning of the sample can decrease the shear and tensile strength by 50% those of the dry sample. In the future, the quality improvement of adhesive and increase of specific surface area should be considered to improve the bonding property between road stud and pavement surface.
PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical properties of recycled asphalt mixtures reinforced with glass fiber.
METHODS: Firstly, mixing design was conducted on recycled asphalt mixture for use of 50% recycled aggregate. Various laboratory tests were performed on four types of recycled asphalt mixtures with different glass fiber content to evaluate the physical properties. The laboratory tests include indirect tensile strength test, dynamic modulus test, Hamburg wheel tracking test and tensile-strength ratio to evaluate cracks, rutting and moisture resistance of mixtures.
RESULTS: The indirect tensile strength of fiber reinforced glass increased about 139.4%. As a result of comparing the master curves obtained by the dynamic modulus test, the elasticity was low in the low temperature region and high in the high temperature region when the glass fiber was reinforced. The glass fiber contents of PEGS 0.3%, Micro PPGF 0.1% and Macro PPGF 0.3% showed the highest moisture resistance and rutting resistance.
CONCLUSIONS : The test results show that use of glass fiber reinforcement can increase the resistance to cracking, rutting, and moisture damage of asphalt mixtures. It is also necessary to validate the long-term performance of recycled asphalt mixtures with glass fiber using full scale pavement testing and field trial construction.
PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the application of soil stabilization method for soft shoulder construction in the iRoad Project of Sri Lanka.
METHODS: Firstly, the quantitative analysis of soil strength improvement due to soil stabilization was done for soil samples collected from iRoad construction sites. Two types of soils were selected from iRoad Project sites and prepared for soil stabilization testing by the Road Development Authority. Secondly, the appropriate stabilizer was selected at given soil type based on test results. Two different stabilizers, ST-1 and ST-2, produced in Korea were used for estimating soil strength improvements. Finally, the optimum stabilizer content was determined for improving shoulder performance. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted to evaluate the strength of stabilized soil samples in accordance with ASTM D 1633. The use of bottom ash as a stabilizer produced from power plant in Sri Lanka was also reviewed in this task.
RESULTS: It is found from the UCS testing that a 3% use of soil stabilizer can improve the strength up to 2~5 times in stabilized soft shoulder soils with respect to unstabilized soils. It is also observed from UCS testing that the ST-1 shows high strength improvement in 3% of stabilizer content but the strength improvement rate with increase of stabilizer content is relatively low compared with ST-2. The ST-2 shows a low UCS value at 3% of content but the UCS values increase significantly with increase of stabilizer content. When using the ST-2 as stabilizing agent, the 5% is recommended as minimum content based on UCS testing results. Based on the testing results for bottom ash replacement, the stabilized sample with bottom ash shows the low strength value.
CONCLUSIONS: This paper is intended to check the feasibility for use the soil stabilization technique for shoulder construction in Sri Lanka. The use of soil stabilizer enables to improve the durability and strength in soft shoulder materials. When applying the bottom ash as a soil stabilizer, various testings should be conducted to satisfy the specification criteria.
In Sri Lanka, the shoulder in asphalt pavements has been constructed using the materials transported from borrow pit in the iRoad Project due to the low quality of in-situ soils. After excavating 150~200mm thick and 500mm wide shoulder area, the borrow pit materials are placed and compacted according to specifications. The excavated in-situ soils are dumped in designated location. It is estimated that this process of shoulder construction is not economical due to high material transportation cost and can also induce the environmental issues by disposal of in-situ soils. It can also cause distresses such as surface rutting and edge drop-off in soft shoulder section due to bearing capacity failure and off-tracking of vehicle. The heavy rainfall in Sri Lanka can induce severe erosion problem when using the soft shoulder. To improve the strength and durability of pavement shoulders in the iRoad Project, the soil stabilization will be a good alternative to solve the above mentioned problems. The use of in-situ soils with addition of soil stabilizer enables to reduce the construction cost of shoulder section and mitigate the environment issues. The objective of this task is to review the application of soil stabilization method for soft shoulder construction in the iRoad Project. Firstly, the quantitative analysis of soil strength improvement due to soil stabilization was done for soil samples collected from iRoad construction sites. Two types of soils were selected from iRoad Project sites and prepared for soil stabilization testing by the Road Development Authority. Secondly, the appropriate stabilizer was selected at given soil type based on test results. Three different stabilizers, ST-1, ST-2, and ST-3, produced in Korea were used for estimating soil strength improvements. Finally, the optimum stabilizer content was determined for improving shoulder performance. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted to evaluate the strength of stabilized soil samples in accordance with ASTM D 1633. The use of bottom ash as a stabilizer produced from power plant in Sri Lanka was also reviewed in this task.
The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is one of potent biological control agents against a variety ofinsect pests. In this study, we investigated enzyme production of M. anisopliae strains A and B. They produced extracellularenzymes for degrading the epidermis of Monochamus alternatus, a crucial mediator of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchusxylophilus. With Q-TOF MS/MS analysis, 29 kDa protein, a major band on a SDS-PAGE gel, was identified as subtilisin-likeserine protease PR1A. M. anisopliae A produced an extracellular enzyme more efficiently than M. anisopliae B: however,enzyme activities targeted for the cuticle were comparable. Our results suggest that the two strains of M. anisopliae havethe biological potential against M. alternatus with insecticidal protease production.