본 연구는 기온 상승에 따른 개별 콘크리트 슬래브의 팽창과 그로 인한 Pavemnent Growth 및 Blow-up 현상을 분석하고 예측하기 위 해 수행되었다. 기온이 상승함에 따라 슬래브는 팽창하며, 콘크리트 슬래브들의 팽창량은 팽창 줄눈 사이에 존재하는 모든 수축 줄눈 이 닫히게 될 정도로 발생하게 되고 그 결과 모든 슬래브들이 접촉하게 된다. 온도의 추가적인 증가로 슬래브가 계속해서 팽창하게 되면 팽창 줄눈의 수축 허용 폭을 초과하는 경우 일체화된 슬래브 내에서 압축 응력이 발생하게 되며, 이러한 현상을 "Pavement Growth"라 정의된다. 이로 인해 콘크리트 포장은 팽창하면서 파손이나 균열에서 좌굴 및 파괴와 같은 압력 관련 문제를 일으킬 수 있 다. 이는 교량 및 도로 내 접근 구조물과 같은 인접 구조물에도 손상을 줄 수 있다. 그러나 현재 사용 가능한 이론적 해결책이나 Pavement Growth 평가 방법과 Blow-up 예측에 관한 연구는 매우 제한적이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 콘크리트 포장의 팽창을 예측하기 위해 Pavement Growth 및 Blow-up 분석 모델인 PGBA(Pavement Growth and Blow-up Analysis) Model을 개발하였다. 이 모델은 기후 조 건, 포장 구조, 재료, 팽창 줄눈 등의 요인을 고려하였다. 본 모델은 일체화된 슬래브가 팽창하여 팽창 줄눈의 수축 허용 폭을 초과하 는 시기를 결정한다. 슬래브와 기층 사이의 Frictional Darg 및 슬래브의 End Restraint으로 인해 발생하는 압축 응력을 계산 할 수 있는 것이다. 또한 Geometric Imperfection의 변화에 따른 Blow-up Stress를 검토하기 위해 Large-scale Blow-up Test를 진행하였으며, 측정된 결과를 Blow-up 발생 임계값으로 사용하였다. 일체화된 슬래브 내부에 발생하는 연도별 압축 응력을 예측하고 Blow-up Stress와 비교 하여 압축 응력이 Blow-up Stress를 초과하는 시점을 Blow-up 발생 시기로 선정하였다.

PURPOSES : Recently, air pollution due to fine particulate matter has been increasing in Korea. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are particulate matter precursors significantly contributing to air pollution. Increasing efforts have been dedicated to NOx removal from air, since it is particularly harmful. Application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for concrete road structures is a suitable alternative to remove NOx. As the photocatalytic reaction of TiO2 is the mechanism that eliminates NOx, the ultraviolet rays in sunlight and TiO2 in existing concrete structures need to be contacted for the reaction process. For the application of vertical concrete road structures such as retaining walls, side ditches, and barriers, a pressurized TiO2 fixation method has been developed considering the pressure and pressurization time. In this study, longterm serviceability and repeatability were investigated on concrete specimens applying the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method. Additionally, the environmental hazards of nitrate adsorbed on TiO2 particles were evaluated. METHODS : Concrete specimens to simulate roadside vertical concrete structures were manufactured and used to evaluate the long-term serviceability and repeatability of the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method. The NOx removal efficiency was measured using NOx evaluation equipment based on ISO 22197-1. In addition, the nitrate concentration was measured using a comprehensive water quality analyzer for evaluating environmental hazards. RESULTS : As the experiment to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method progressed from one to seven cycles, the nitrate concentration increased from 2.35 mg/L to 3.06 mg/L, and the NOx removal efficiency decreased from 53% to 25%. After seven cycles of NOx removal efficiency evaluation, the average nitrate concentration was 3.06 mg/L. The nitrate concentration collected immediately after the NOx removal efficiency test for each cycle was in the range of 2.51 to 2.57 mg/L. By contrast, it was confirmed that the nitrate concentration was lowered to approximately 2.1 mg/L when the surface was washed with water. CONCLUSIONS : The NOx removal efficiency was maintained at over 25% even after seven cycles of NOx removal efficiency evaluation, securing long-term serviceability. In addition, the harmful effects on the environment and human health are insignificant, since the nitrate concentration was less than 10 mg/L, in accordance with domestic and foreign standards. Practical applicability of the pressurized TiO2 fixation method was established by evaluating the long-term serviceability, repeatability, and environmental hazards.

PURPOSES : High temperatures induce excessive expansion in pavements, thus causing the closure of contraction joints between expansion joints. This results in the integration of slabs within the expansion joints into a unified slab. Compressive forces are generated owing to the friction that ensues between the unified slab and lower base layer. As the integrated slab expands and exceeds the allowable width of the expansion joint, the end restraint generates an additional compressive force. The escalating force, which reaches a critical threshold, induces buckling, thus compromising stability and causing blow-up incidents, which poses a significant hazard to road users. The unpredictable nature of blow-up incidents render their accurate prediction challenging because the compressive force within the slab must be predicted and the threshold for blow-up occurrence must be determined. METHODS : In this study, a GWNU blow-up model was developed to predict both the compressive force and period of blow-up incidents in jointed concrete pavements. The climate conditions, pavement structure, materials, and expansion joints were considered in this model. In the first stage of the model, the time at which the integrated slab expanded and surpassed the allowable width of the expansion joint was determined, and the compressive force was calculated. Subsequently, the compressive force within the integrated slab, considering both the end restraints and friction, was predicted. A large-scale blow-up test was performed to measure the blow-up force based on changes in the geometric imperfections. The measured blow-up force was adopted as the blow-up occurrence threshold, and the point at which the predicted compressive force within the slab exceeded the blow-up force was identified as the blow-up occurrence time. RESULTS : Using the GWNU blow-up model, the blow-up occurrence on the Seohean Expressway in Korea is predicted in the presence or absence of the alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Analysis is conducted using the expansion joint spacing and width as variables. As the expansion joint spacing increases, blow-up occurs sooner, and as the width increases, only the expansion joint life decreases. When applying an expansion joint spacing of 300 m and a width of 100 mm under an ASR with 99.9% TTPG reliability, the sum of the expansion joint life and blow-up occurrence time is 16 years. CONCLUSIONS : In the case of jointed concrete pavements where ASR occurred, installing an expansion joint spacing of 300 m and a width of 100 mm does not satisfy the design life of 20 years, and the expansion joint width minimally affect the blow-up occurrence time. To prevent blow-up incidents, a spacing of less than 300 m for the expansion joint is recommended. Based on the analysis results, the blow-up occurrence time and location can be predicted from the characteristics of the installed expansion joint, through which blow-up incidents can be prevented via preliminary maintenance.

This study addresses the environmental impact associated with waste management and natural aggregate production. It explores the potential of utilizing Coal Bottom Ash (CBA) and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Aggregate (RAPA) as complete replacements, respectively, for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. Despite their similarities to natural aggregates, CBA and RAPA often end up in landfills. Laboratory tests were conducted, revealing satisfactory performance in drying shrinkage and air void parameters. However, while the flexural strength met design requirements, the compressive and splitting tensile strengths were lower than predicted. The deviation in strength development behavior from natural aggregate concrete (NAC) was attributed to weak agglomerated aggregates in RAPA and the large size of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) due to the old asphalt coating surrounding RAPA. To enhance the strength behavior, two methods were employed: compaction in the form of roller-compacted concrete and RAPA abrasion carried out by rolling RAPA in a concrete mixer. Compaction improved aggregate interlock, while RAPA abrasion decreased agglomerated aggregates and minimized asphalt coating, reducing ITZ size. These treatments resulted in improvements in compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths, with the combination of both treatments having the most significant effect. Analysis of relationships between flexural, splitting tensile, and compressive strengths indicated that CBA and RAPA concrete behaved more similarly to NAC after the treatments. This research suggests that with appropriate interventions, it is feasible to utilize CBA and RAPA in concrete, contributing to sustainable construction through improved waste management, carbon footprint reduction, and conservation of natural resources.

PURPOSES : The increase in particulate matter due to increased air pollutant emissions has become a significant social issue. According to the Ministry of Environment, air pollutants emitted from large-scale businesses in 2022 increased by 12.2% compared to the previous year, indicating that air pollution is accelerating owing to excessive industrialization. In this study, TiO2, which is used to reduce airborne particulate, was used. The TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressure coating-type TiO2 fixation methods were used to solve the material peeling phenomenon caused by gravity, which is a limitation when the TiO2 penetration method is applied to a vertical concrete structure along the road. The long-term durability and performance were analyzed through environmental resistance and NOx removal efficiency evaluation experiments. These analyses were then assessed by comparing the NOx removal efficiency with the dynamic pressure permeationtype TiO2 fixation method used in previous studies. METHODS : To evaluate the long-term durability and performance of the TiO2 coating fixation method and dynamic pressure coating TiO2 fixation method for vertical concrete structures, specimens were manufactured based on roadside vertical concrete structures. Environmental resistance tests such as the surface peeling resistance test (ASTM C 672) and freeze-thaw resistance test (KS F 2456) were conducted to evaluate the long-term durability. To evaluate the long-term performance, the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete owing to road surface deterioration during the environmental resistance test was evaluated using the NOx removal efficiency evaluation equipment based on the ISO 22197-1 standard. This evaluation was compared and analyzed using the dynamic pressure infiltration TiO2 fixation method. RESULTS : The long-term durability of the TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressure coating TiO2 fixation methods were evaluated using environmental resistance tests. During the surface peeling resistance test, the TiO2 material degraded and partially detached from the concrete. However, the NOx removal efficiency was ensured by the non-deteriorated and fixed TiO2 material. The long-term performance was confirmed through a freeze-thaw resistance test to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency after 300 cycles of surface deterioration. The results showed that when the TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressure infiltration TiO2 fixation methods were applied to vertical concrete structures, the durability of the structure was not compromised. In comparison to the dynamic pressure infiltration TiO2 fixation method, the NOx removal efficiency observed during the surface peeling resistance test was lower, while the freeze-thaw test exhibited notably higher removal efficiency. CONCLUSIONS : To solve the material peeling phenomenon caused by gravity, the long-term durability and performance were evaluated by applying the TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressurized coating TiO2 fixation methods to vertical concrete specimens. Long-term durability was confirmed through environmental resistance tests, and long-term utility was secured by measuring the NOx removal efficiency according to surface degradation. These findings show that implementing the TiO2 coating fixation method and dynamic pressure coating TiO2 fixation methods on-site effectively reduce NOx.

PURPOSES : During the summer of 2018, a heat wave (temperatures > 33°C) lasted for more than 30 days, causing blow-ups at eight different locations in South Korea. The blow-up phenomenon occurred when the internal temperature of the concrete slab increased. Simultaneously, as the concrete slab expands excessively, the length of the end of the slab increases, thus resulting in a lateral compressive force; when the slab cannot withstand this force, it rises or breaks. Blow-up is caused by a variety of factors, including increased temperature and humidity, accumulation of incompressible substances inside discontinuous surfaces, alkali–silica reactions, and aging of the concrete pavement. Several researchers have presented models to forecast blow-ups, such as the A. D. Kerr and G. Yang models, which have been applied to explain the blow-up phenomenon. However, this model has some limitations. This paper discusses a method to overcome these limitations. METHODS : Buckling, the most important theory describing the blow-up phenomenon, was reviewed, and the buckling principle was confirmed. Subsequently, the input variables of the Kerr and Yang models and the mechanism for predicting the occurrence of blow-ups were identified. The PGBA program was used to confirm the lifetime of the expansion joint and the blow-up occurrence time based on the expansion joint spacing to review the limitations of the two studied models. RESULTS : The Kerr and Yang models did not consider variables such as the expansion joint spacing or length of the integrated adjacent slab. In other words, it is necessary to reconsider the appropriateness of blow-up time predictions in relation to changes in expansion joint spacing and slab length. The expansion joint lifetime and blow-up occurrence time were predicted using the PGBA program. It was confirmed that as the expansion joint spacing increases, the expansion joint lifetime decreases. However, the blow-up occurrence time was shown to be the same (equal to 59 years), which is a limitation of the Kerr and Yang models used in the PGBA program. This resulted in a limitation in which variables for the expansion joint spacing cannot be used. CONCLUSIONS : Through blow-up simulation experiments and actual field data, an appropriate slab length should be determined, and a blow-up model should be developed based on the slab length. If a blow-up prediction based on concrete slab length and a blow-up model based on are developed, the blow-up prevention technology will be applied to the appropriate blow-up time and location to avoid traffic accidents and reduce human and property damage.

PURPOSES : Advancements in science and technology caused by industrialization have led to an increase in particulate matter emissions and, consequently, severity of air pollution. Nitrogen oxide (NOx), which accounts for 58% of road transport pollutants, adversely affects both human health and the environment. A test-bed was constructed to determine NOx removal efficiency at the roadside. TiO2, a material used to reduce particulate matter, was used to remove NOx. It was applied to a vertical concrete structure using the dynamic pressurized penetration TiO2 fixation method, which can be easily applied to vertical concrete structures. This study was conducted to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of the dynamic pressurized-penetration TiO2 fixation method in a test-bed under real roadside conditions. METHODS : A test-bed was constructed in order to determine the NOx removal efficiency using the dynamic pressurized penetration TiO2 fixation method on the roadside. The dynamic pressurized-penetration TiO2 fixation method was applied by installing a vertical concrete structure. NOx was injected into the test-bed using an exhaust gas generator. By installing a shading screen, the photocatalytic reaction of TiO2 was suppressed to a maximum concentration of 1000 ppb along the roadside. The removal efficiency was evaluated by measuring NOx concentrations. In addition, illuminance was measured using an illuminance meter. RESULTS : From the results of the analysis of the NOx removal efficiency in the test-bed which the dynamic pressurized type TiO2 fixation method was applied to, an average removal efficiency ranging from 18% to 40% was achieved, depending on the illuminance. Similarly, according to the results of the evaluation of the NO removal efficiency, an average of removal efficiency ranging from 20% to 62% was achieved. Thus, the NOx removal efficiency increased when the illuminance was high. CONCLUSIONS : From the results of the experiment conducted, the efficiency of NOx removal per unit volume was obtained according to the illuminance of TiO2 concrete along an actual road. Field applicability of the dynamic pressurized-penetration-type TiO2 fixation method to vertical concrete structures along roads was confirmed.

PURPOSES : Roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) is a superstiff-consistency concrete pavement that exhibits excellent strength development owing to a hydration reaction and interlocking aggregates owing to the roller compaction. A zero-slump concrete mixture is generally used. Hence, it is important to control the consistency of the RCCP mixture to prevent the deterioration of the construction quality (such as material separation during paving). The workability of the RCCP is characterized by its consistency and controlled by the Vebe time, whereas a conventional concrete pavement is controlled based on the slump test. The consistency of the RCCP changes over time after concrete mixing owing to delivery, construction time delays, etc. Thus, it is necessary to use the optimum Vebe time to achieve the best construction quality. Therefore, this study aims to develop a Vebe time prediction model for efficiently controlling the consistency of RCCPs according to random time variations. METHODS : A Vebe time prediction model was developed using a multiple linear regression analysis. A dataset of 131 samples was used to develop the model. The collected data consisted of variables with large potential effects on the consistency of the RCCP, such as the water-cement ratio (W/C), sand/aggregate ratio (S/a), water content (ω), water content per unit volume (W), cement (C), fine aggregate (S), coarse aggregate (G), water reducing admixtrue (PNS), air-entraining admixture (AE), delay time (T), air temperature (TEM), and humidity (HUM). In the multiple linear regression analysis, the mentioned parameters were used as the independent variables, and the Vebe time was the dependent variable. The Vebe time prediction models were evaluated by considering the adjusted R2 and p-values. The selection of the model was based on the largest R2 value and an acceptable p-value (p<0.05). RESULTS : The Vebe time prediction model achieved an adjusted R2 value of 64.14% with a significance level (p-value) of less than 0.05. This shows that the predictive model is adequately described for the dependent variable, and that the model is suitable for Vebe time predictions. Moreover, the significance level of the independent variables is less than 0.05, indicating significant effects on the Vebe time (i.e., the dependent variable). CONCLUSIONS : The Vebe time prediction model developed in this study can be used to estimate Vebe times with an R2 of 63.33% between the measured and predicted values. The proposed Vebe time prediction model is expected to be effectively utilized for the quality control of RCCP mixtures. Moreover, it is expected to contribute to achieving good RCCP construction quality.

PURPOSES : Recently, air pollution caused by particulate matter has been worsening. Among the substances generating particulate matter, NOx is the main precursor of particulate matter and is widely distributed in areas with a high volume of traffic. TiO2 has been used as a material for removing NOx through a chemical reaction as a photocatalyst. In this context, the reduction of NOx through TiO2 concrete is proposed. However, the research on the surface deterioration on the performance of TiO2 concrete is not documented yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete by considering the concrete surface deterioration. METHODS : Freezing–thawing resistance test (KS F 2456) and scaling test (ASTM C 672) were performed to investigate the variation in the TiO2 penetration distribution and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete corresponding to surface deterioration. The long-term durability of TiO2 concrete was evaluated through an environmental resistance test and changes in TiO2 penetration depth and distribution characteristics. In addition, the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete was evaluated as surface deterioration occurs. RESULTS : As a result of the freeze–thawing resistance test, a relative dynamic elastic modulus of more than 80 % was detected. In addition, a TiO2 penetration depth of 0.3 mm, NOx removal efficiency of 11.2 %, and a 30 % of TiO2 surface prediction mass ratio were achieved after 300 cycles. As a result of visual observation of the scaling test, “0, no scaling” was secured. After 50 cycles of scaling test, the TiO2 penetration depth, NOx removal efficiency, and TiO2 surface prediction mass ratio were 0.3 mm, 36.3 %, and 63 %, respectively. Through the results of the environmental resistance test, the excellent long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS : As a result of the experiment, long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete were secured. The application of TiO2 concrete can be a good alternative with long-term performance and durability.

PURPOSES : Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the main precursors to generate fine particulate matter, which significantly contribute to air pollution. NOx gases are transmitted into the atmosphere in large quantities, especially in areas with a high volume of traffic. Titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is a photocatalytic reaction material, is very efficient for removing NOx. The application of TiO2 to concrete road structures is a good alternative to remove NOx. Generally, TiO2 concrete is produced by mixing concrete with TiO2 . However, a significant amount of TiO2 in concrete cannot be exposed to air pollutants or UV. Therefore, an alternative method of penetrating TiO2 into horizontal concrete structures using a surface penetration agent was proposed in a previous study. This method may not only be economical but also applicable to various types of horizontal concrete structures. However, the TiO2 penetration method may not be applied to vertical structures because it has a mechanism for the penetration of TiO2-containing penetration agents via gravity and capillary forces. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the pressurized TiO2 fixation method for existing vertical road structures. METHODS : For the application of vertical concrete structures — such as retaining walls, side ditches, and barriers — the applicability of a static and dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method was evaluated according to the experimental conditions, considering the amount of pressure and time. The penetration depth and distribution of TiO2 particles in the concrete specimen were measured using SEM/EDAX. In addition, the NOx removal efficiencies of TiO2 concrete were evaluated using the NOx analysis system. RESULTS : As a result of measuring the penetration depth and distribution of TiO2 in the concrete, it was found that the surface-predicted mass ratio increased with increasing pressure and time. In the case of the static pressurized fixation method, it was confirmed that a pressure time of at least 10 s at a pressure of 0.2 MPa and 5 s at a pressure higher than 0.3 MPa were required to achieve a NOx removal efficiency higher than 40 %. Conversely, for the dynamic pressurized fixation method applying a hitting energy of 16.95 J, NOx removal efficiencies higher than 50 % were secured in a pressure time of more than 3 s. CONCLUSIONS : The results of this study showed that the static and dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method was advantageous in penetrating and distributing TiO2 particles into the concrete surface to effectively remove NOx. It was confirmed that the proposed method to remove NOx was sufficiently applicable to existing vertical concrete road structures.