In this study, non-destructive technologies that can be applied to evaluate the integrity of valve materials, safety against internal pressure caused by corrosion, and the blocking function of large-diameter water valves during operation without requiring specimen collection or manpower entering the inside of the valve were tested to assess the reliability of the technologies and their suitability for field application. The results showed that the condition of the graphite structure inside the valve body can be evaluated directly through the optical microscope in the field without specimen collection for large-diameter water butterfly valves, and the depth of corrosion inside the valve body can be determined by array ultrasound and the tensile strength can be measured by instrumented indentation test. The reliability of each of these non-destructive techniques is high, and they can be widely used to evaluate the condition of steel or cast iron pipes that are significantly smaller in thickness than valves. Evaluation of blocking function of the valves with mixed gas showed that it can be detected even when a very low flow rate of mixed gas passes through the disk along with the water flow. Finally, as a result of evaluating the field applicability of non-destructive technologies for three old butterfly valves installed in the US industrial water pipeline, it was found that it is possible to check the material and determine the suitability of large-diameter water valves without taking samples, and to determine the corrosion state and mechanical strength. In addition, it was possible to evaluate safety through the measurement results, and it is judged that the evaluation of the blocking function using mixed gas will help strengthen preventive response in the event of an accident.

Parrots have been threatened by global trade to meet their high demand as pets. Controlling parrot trade is essential because parrots play a vital role in the ecosystem. Accurate species identification is crucial for controlling parrot trade. Parrots have been traded as eggs due to their advantages of lower mortality rates and more accessible transport than live parrots. A molecular method is required to identify parrot eggs because it is difficult to perform identification using morphological features. In this study, DNAs were obtained from 43 unidentified parrot eggs using a non-destructive sampling method. Partial cytochrome b (CYTB ) gene was then successfully amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Sequences newly obtained in the present study were compared to those available in the GenBank by database searching. In addition, phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify species using available sequences in GenBank along with sequences reported in previous studies. Finally, the 43 parrot eggs were successfully identified as seven species belonging to two families and seven genera. This non-destructive sampling method for obtaining DNA and molecular identification might help control the trade of parrot eggs and prevent their illegal trade.

The large rectangular and cylindrical concrete drums are stored in nuclear power plant (NPP) for a long time. At the early stage of NPP operation, the treatment technology of boron concentrates and spent resin was not well developed, when compared to current system. Since the waste acceptance criteria (WAC) of the disposal facility was not established, the boron concentrates and spent resins were packaged in 200 L drum. Some of the 200 L drums, which contain relatively high dose rate radioactive waste, were stored in large concrete drum. The concrete drum offers superior shielding effect and allows reduction of radiation exposure to workers. The WAC requires various characteristics: radiological characteristics, physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, etc. The non-destructive method allows the rapid evaluation and estimation of the concrete structure. Also, it is expected that the large concrete exhibits integrity after the measurements. In this paper, the non-destructive method to understand the large rectangular and cylindrical drum is systematically studied. The advantage and disadvantage of the non-destructive methods were compared in this paper. In addition, the optimized methodology to characterize the radioactive waste containing large rectangular and cylindrical drum will be discussed in this paper.

Metakaolin-based geopolymers have shown promise as suitable candidates for 14C immobilization and final disposal. It has been shown that the physicochemical properties of metakaolin wasteforms meet, and often far exceeding, the strict compression strength and leaching acceptance criteria of the South Korea radioactive waste disposal site. However, it is not possible to analyze and characterize the internal structure of the geopolymer wasteform by conventional characterization techniques such as microscopy without destruction of the wasteform; an impractical solution for inspecting wasteforms destined for final disposal. Internal inspection is important for ensuring wastes are homogenously mixed throughout the wasteform and that the wasteform itself does not pose any significant defects that may have formed either during formulation and curing or as a result of testing prior to final disposal. X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) enables Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of objects, such as final wasteforms, allowing for both their internal and external, characterization without destruction. However, for accurate quantification of an objects dimensions the spatial resolution (length and volume measures) must be know to a high degree of precision and accuracy. This often requires extensive knowledge of the equipment being used, its precise set-up, maintenance and calibration, as well as expert operation to yield the best results. A spatial resolution target consists of manufactured defects of uniformed dimensions and geometries which can be measured to a high degree of accuracy. Implementing the use of a spatial resolution target, the dimensions of which are known and certified independently, would allow for rapid dimensional calibration of XCT systems for the purpose of object metrology. However, for a spatial resolution target to be practical it should be made of the same material as the intended specimen, or at least exhibit comparable X-ray attenuation. In this study, attempts have been made to manufacture spatial resolution targets using geopolymer, silica glass, and alumina rods, as well as 3D printed materials with varying degrees of success. The metakaolin was activated by an alkaline activator KOH to from a geopolymer paste that was moulded into a cylinder (Diameter approx. 25 mm). The solidified geopolymer cylinder as well as both the silica glass rod and alumina rod (Diameter approx. 25 mm) we cut to approximately 4 mm ± 0.5 mm height with additional end caps cut measuring 17.5 mm ± 2.5 mm height. All parts were then polished to a high finish and visually inspected for their suitability as spatial resolution targets.

In order to permanently dispose of radioactive waste drums generated from nuclear power plants, disposal suitability must be demonstrated and the nuclides and radioactivity contained in the waste drums, including those in the shielding drums, must be identified. At present, reliable measurements of the nuclide concentration are performed using drum nuclide analysis devices at power plants and disposal facilities during acceptance inspection. The essential functions required to perform nuclide analysis using the non-destructive assay system are the correction for self-attenuation and the dead time correction. Until now, measurements have mainly been performed for drums containing solid waste such as DAW drums using SGS calibration drums with ordinary iron drums. However, for drums containing non-uniform radioactive waste, such as waste filters embedded in cement within shielding drums, a separate calibration drum needs to be produced. In order to produce calibration drums for shielded and embedded waste drums, the design considered the placement of calibration sources, setting of shielding thickness, correction for medium density, and cement mixing ratio. Based on these considerations, three calibration drums were produced. First, a shielding drum with an empty interior was produced. Second, a density correction drum filled with cement was produced to create apparent density on the surface of the shielding drum. Third, a physical model drum was produced containing a mock waste filter and cement filled in the shielding drum.

In ROK, when designing a spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage facility and cask, criticality safety analysis is performed assuming that the SNF is a fresh fuel in order to ensure conservatism. Storage and transportation capacity can be increased by more than 30% by applying the burnup credit, but it has not been applied to the management of SNF. On the other hand, currently in criticality safety analysis, average burnup value is applied to axial burnup profiles, and it is not conservative because burnup of the middle of SNF is greater than average value. Thus, measuring burnup of SNF with high accuracy contributes to the economics and safety of the management of SNF. In this paper, nondestructive burnup evaluation methods for SNF are reviewed in order to study how to measure burnup more accurately. Gamma ray spectrometry and neutron counting have been used as non-destructive burnup evaluation methods of SNF. Gamma spectrum analysis uses the ratio of Cs-134/Cs-137 or Eu-154/Cs-137. The ratio of Cs-134/Cs-137 is used to SNF with cooling time less than 20 years, and the ratio of Eu- 154/Cs-137 is used to SNF with cooling time more than 20 years due to their half-life. In spectrum analysis, detector sensors with high efficiency and energy resolution are needed to clarify each spectrum. High-purity germanium (HPGe) detector has high energy resolution. However, it is not suitable for the analysis of the SNF in the spent fuel pool because it requires separate cooling system and large volume. Thus, CdZnTe (CZT) detector, which has medium energy resolution, is used as a detector of gamma ray spectrometry for the analysis of the SNF in the spent fuel pool. Recently, LaBr3 detector has been commercialized. Although it is difficult to compare clearly due to different conditions such as detector volume and crystal size, LaBr3 detector showed better resolution than CZT in the entire energy region. Neutron counting method has a large error compared to gamma spectrometry because the neutron flux is lower than gamma ray, and neutron absorption reaction, induced fission, and pool environment have to be considered. Large quantity of gamma energy is deposited in the detector by the fission fragments near the SNF. Therefore, fission chambers, which have the highest insensitivity to gamma rays, must be used as neutron detector in order to avoid noise from gamma rays.

Non-destructive estimation of leaf area is a more efficient and convenient method than leaf excision. Thus, several models predicting leaf area have been developed for various horticultural crops. However, there are limited studies on estimating the leaf area of strawberry plants. In this study, we predicted the leaf areas via nonlinear regression analysis using the leaf lengths and widths of three-compound leaves in five domestic strawberry cultivars (‘Arihyang’, ‘Jukhyang’, ‘Keumsil’, ‘Maehyang’, and ‘Seollhyang’). The coefficient of determination (R2) between the actual and estimated leaf areas varied from 0.923 to 0.973. The R2 value varied for each cultivar; thus, leaf area estimation models must be developed for each cultivar. The leaf areas of the three cultivars ‘Jukhyang’, ‘Seolhyang’, and ‘Maehyang’ could be non-destructively predicted using the model developed in this study, as they had R2 values over 0.96. The cultivars ‘Arihyang’ and ‘Geumsil’ had slightly low R2 values, 0.938 and 0.923, respectively. The leaf area estimation model for each cultivar was coded in Python and is provided in this manuscript. The estimation models developed in this study could be used extensively in other strawberry-related studies.

PURPOSES: Spalling is one of the primary problems that lead to the damage of concrete pavements. The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact range of spalling that occurred in an area of concrete pavement by applying a variety of nondestructive and destructive testing methods. METHODS: Spalling of the concrete pavement was categorized into four different sizes, 0 cm, 7.5 cm, 15 cm, and 30 cm. Nondestructive and destructive tests were performed at the point of spalling and 1 m away, respectively, and the obtained results were compared. The nondestructive tests included the electrical resistance test and the ultrasonic velocity test as well as strength tests by Schmidt hammer and concrete tester. The destructive tests included the direct compressive strength test and the chloride content test using field cored specimens. The test results helped in the analysis of the correlation between the current spalling damage condition and the expected damage acceleration. RESULTS: Based on the present study, the repair area and depth of spalling for a partial depth repair was suggested. It was also shown that the size of the spalling is highly correlated with the chloride content and the electrical resistance of the concrete pavement. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of spalling deterioration was found to be highly correlated with the chloride content and electrical resistance of the concrete pavement and based on the results, the extent of repair could be determined more quantitatively.

The visual inspection device was developed for non-destructive test of piping from the inside. The developed components of the system can be classified as camera module, main body module named crawler module and system module. Because the system has driving part as electric motors, it can run not only the horizontal and vertical straight lines but also bend lines. The system has video processors, it can make it possible to display the video on the monitor and to save the video clips simultaneously. Several tests were performed to check the development objectives.

Plant physiological indices for Euryale ferox Salisb. an endangered aquatic plant from Gyeongsan Province, were analyzed in this study. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was highest at 0.820 in Dongguji and lowest at 0.592 in Dongjaji; the SR (Simple Ratio) index was highest at 10.240 in Dongguji and lowest at 4.312 in Dongjaji; and the PRI (Photochemical Reflectance Index) was highest at 0.039 in Dongguji and lowest at −0.036 in Dongjaji. The CRI1 (Carotenoid Reflectance Index 1) index was in Sahwaji and Waji at 8.881 and 12.988, respectively, and the CRI2 (Carotenoid Reflectance Index 2) index was highest at 7.889 in Sahwaji and lowest at 11.889 in Dongjaji.

PURPOSES: It is theoretically well known all over the world, that porous hot mixed asphalt (HMA) with hydrated Lime improves moisture and rutting resistance, and reduces pothole occurrence frequency, as well as the life cycle cost (LCC). METHODS : Addictive in the two different formations of the liquid anti-stripping Agent and powder Hydrated-Lime was applied in this investigation in order to obtain relatively clear results according to their types and conditions. Firstly, the moisture conditions were set, and applied to the porous HMA mixtures with hydrated lime (anti-stripping agent). Next, it was followed by a non-destructive test with the application of three freeze-thaw cycles, which were individually carried out thrice to compare the results of the dynamic moduli. Lastly, the hydrated lime effect related to moisture sensibility to porous HMA has been verified through the analysis of the modulus results regarding the change rate of dynamic modulus per n-cycle. RESULTS: It is clear from this investigation, that the dynamic modulus is inversely proportional to the change in temperature, as the graph representing the rigidity of the thermorheologically simple (TRS) material showed gradual decline of the dynamic modulus with the increase in temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The porous HMA mixture with the anti-stripping agent (hydrated Lime) has been found to be more moisture resistant to freezing and thawing than the normal porous HMA mixture. It is clear that the hydrated lime helps the HMA mixture to improve its fatigue resistance.

본 연구에서는 서모소닉 시험을 위한 실용적이고 편리한 PZT 가진 시스템을 구축하고 그 특성을 평가하고자 하였다. PZT 가진기의 성능 평가 및 가진기와 시험체와의 다양한 연결방법의 효과에 대하여 평가하기 위한 실험 을 수행하였다. 실험은 서로 다른 두께를 가진 금속 플레이트를 이용하여 수행되었다. 본 논문에는 실험 장치 및 다양한 연결방법의 성능 시험 결과가 소개되었다. 실험 결과 가진기의 공진 주파수 근처에서 작은 입력 전압과 작은 힘을 이용하여 큰 변형률을 가진 다수의 모드를 가진 할 수 있었고 이 결과는 가진 중에 비선형 진동의 발 생 없이 서모소닉 시험을 위해 충분한 변형률을 얻을 수 있는 가능성을 보여준다. 결과적으로 결함 검출을 위해 작은 크기의 변형률이 필요한 시험체의 경우 작은 PZT 가진기가 간편하고 신뢰성 있는 가진 시스템을 제공 할 수 있다는 가능성을 보여주었다.

PURPOSES: This study is to evaluate the dynamic modulus changes of permeable asphalt mixtures by using non-destructive impact testing method and to compare the dynamic moduli of permeable asphalt mixtures through repeated freezing and thawing conditions. METHODS: For the study, non-destructive impact testing method is used in order to obtain dynamic modulus of asphalt specimen and to confirm the change of dynamic modulus before and after freezing and thawing conditions. RESULTS : This study has shown that the dynamic moduli of asphalt concrete specimens consisting of 10%, 15% and 20% porosity are reduced by 11.851%, 1.9564%, 24.593% after freezing and thawing cycles. CONCLUSIONS : Non-destructive impact testing method is very useful and has repeatability. Specimen with 15% porosity has high durability than others.

PURPOSES : This study is to evaluate moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixtures by using non-destructive impact wave and to determine durability so as to decrease the gap between before and after freezing in the future. METHODS : Using non-destructive impact wave, this study is to determine the dynamic modulus of asphalt specimen. Furthermore, the results obtained from two experiment accelerometers are used for the dynamic modulus determination. The dynamic moduli of specimens are compared with those of the freezing-thawing specimens. RESULTS : Test results showed that the dynamic modulus before freezing and thawing environment loads at each temperature dropped about 3.7% after the environmental loads. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicates that transition of dynamic modulus at each point is about 89.59%. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of asphalt mixtures using non-destructive impact wave has excellent repeatability and simple equipment for the test. Consequently, the method in the study will be useful for evaluating the characteristics of a various asphalt mixtures.