The demand for high-strength steel is rising due to its economic efficiency. Low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests have been conducted to investigate the nonlinear behaviors of high-strength steel. Accurate material models must be used to obtain reliable results on seismic performance evaluation using numerical analyses. This study uses the combined hardening model to simulate the LCF behavior of high-strength steel. However, it is challenging and complex to determine material model parameters for specific high-strength steel because a highly nonlinear equation is used in the model, and several parameters need to be resolved. This study used the particle swarm algorithm (PSO) to determine the model parameters based on the LCF test data of HSA 650 steel. It is shown that the model with parameter values selected from the PSO accurately simulates the measured LCF curves.

This paper proposes the optimal molecular weight for a petroleum-based binder pitch to enhance the density and strength of the prepared graphite block. The effect of the molecular weight on the binder properties, which was quantified using solvent fractionation, was considered based on the evaluation of the coking and viscosity characteristics. The affinity of the pitch to coke influenced the carbonization yield of the block, and the proportion of closed pores was reduced via the use of a highaffinity binder pitch. In addition, the viscosity was found to influence the uniformity of the coke and pitch dispersions, and numerous open pores were formed in the graphite block under high-viscosity conditions. In terms of the molecular weight, a reduction in the content of the insoluble 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) fraction, which was the heaviest fraction present in the pitch, was found to reduce the affinity of the binder to coke while increasing its viscosity. Therefore, the density and strength of the prepared graphite block were reduced upon increasing the insoluble NMP content of the binder pitch. Consequently, it was necessary to control the content of this fraction within < 13.81 wt% to obtain high-density and high-strength graphite blocks.

In this research, synergetic and separate influence of nano-carbon black (C.Bn) and SiC on the microstructure and flexural strength of ZrB2 were investigated. So, ZrB2 and ZrB2- 30vol%-based composites containing 10 and 15 vol% C.Bn as well as ZrB2- 15 vol% SiC were fabricated via spark plasma sintering at 1850 °C for soaking time of 8 min under the applied pressure of 35 MPa. Relative density was measured by Archimedes method. Microstructural evaluation was carried out by applying the field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), and flexural strength was measured by three-point bending test. It was found the relative density improves in the presence of C.Bn and SiC especially in synergetic state so that the full densification was gained in Z30Si10C.Bn and Z30Si15C.Bn composites through their reactions with impurities at 1850 °C. In the monolithic ZrB2 system, the C.Bn addition improves the flexural strength slightly to 300 MPa and 315 MPa from 290 MPa. However, co-doped 10 vol% C.Bn with 30 vol% SiC resulted to achieve maximum flexural strength of 486 MPa in comparison with individually applying each of them (395 MPa for Z30Si and 300 MPa for Z10 C.Bn).

미세구조 특성의 불확실성은 재료 특성에 많은 영향을 준다. 시멘트 기반 재료의 공극 분포 특성은 재료의 역학적 특성에 큰 영향을 미치며, 재료에 랜덤하게 분포되어 있는 많은 공극은 재료의 물성 예측을 어렵게 한다. 공극의 특성 분석과 재료 응답 간의 상관관계 규명에 대한 기존 연구는 통계적 관계 분석에 국한되어 있으며, 그 상관관계가 아직 명확히 규명되어 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 합성곱 신경망(CNN, convolutional neural network)을 활용한 이미지 기반 데이터 접근법을 통해 시멘트 기반 재료의 역학적 응답을 예측하 고, 공극분포와 재료 응답의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 머신러닝을 위한 데이터는 고해상도 마이크로-CT 이미지와 시멘트 기반 재료의 물성(인장강도)로 구성하였다. 재료의 메시 구조 특성을 분석하였으며, 재료의 응답은 상장균열모델(phase-field fracture model)에 기 반을 둔 2D 직접 인장(direct tension) 유한요소해석 시뮬레이션을 활용하여 평가하였다. 입력 이미지 영역의 기여도를 분석하여 시편 에서 재료 응답 예측에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 영역을 CNN을 통하여 식별하였다. CNN 과정 중 활성 영역과 공극분포를 비교 분석하 여 공극분포특성과 재료 응답의 상관관계를 분석하여 제시하였다.

Special equipment used for snow removal is only used in the winter and must be moved into storage during non-winter seasons. However, when moving heavy equipment using a forklift within a limited space, safety accidents may occur due to deformation and damage due to the worker's limited visibility and excessive loading of heavy objects. In this study, the scissors boom of the developed heavy load transporter was conducted in two cases: link structural analysis and position-based structural analysis. In detail, the link structural analysis covers four cases of stress and safety factor according to material and thickness to optimize the specifications of the material selected during development, and the structural analysis according to position covers two cases before and after the lift, when maximum stress concentration is achieved. Safety was evaluated through finite element analysis. As a result of the study, when manufacturing a scissors boom type heavy load transporter that can withstand a load of 10 tons, the link showed safety at SS400 4.5mm or higher, and reinforcement is needed in the upper and lower structures, so it is judged to be useful in applying materials according to the load.

Background: Some patients may not fully recover their daily activity capabilities even after the total hip replacement (THR), and may continue to experience functional limitations for up to a year after the procedure, according to reports. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of machine squat on muscle strength, balance and gait in patients after THR. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-three patients after THR were randomly allocated into slide (n=11), reformer (n=11), and control groups (n=11). Each group underwent their respective squat regimens for thirty minutes, seven times a week, for two weeks. Muscle strength changes were assessed using the manual muscle test (MMT), balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and gait analysis was performed using the 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Results: Significant changes in hip flexor and abductor strength were observed in the slide and reformer groups within each group (P<.05). The reformer group showed significant changes in hip extensor strength (P<.05). Significant improvements in BBS were observed in all three groups (P<.05). There were significant changes in 10MWT in the slide and reformer groups (P<.05). A significant difference in hip extensor strength was found between the reformer and control groups after the intervention (P<.0167). Significant differences in BBS were observed between the slide and reformer groups and between the reformer and control groups after the intervention (P<.0167). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that machine squat regimens can be effective for early rehabilitation after THR, improving muscle strength, balance, and gait.

Recently, carbon composites have been applied to various fields. However, carbon composites have not been applied to the fishing vessel field due to its structure standards centered on glass composites. In this study, a structural strength evaluation study was conducted for the application of carbon composites in the fishing vessel field. Hull minimum thickness verification test and hull joint verification test were conducted. Compared to glass composites, the verification was based on equivalent or better performance. The results show that carbon composites can reduce the weight by 20% compared to glass composites. For hull joints, it was necessary to increase the thickness of the joint seam by the thickness of the hull to apply carbon composite. Through this study, a standard for the application of carbon composites to fishing vessel can be established.

The use of hanging scaffolding for exterior wall painting and cleaning in building construction and maintenance carries the inherent risk of fall accidents. While periodic rope replacement is crucial for preventing accidents resulting from rope breakage, current regulations lack specificity in determining appropriate disposal period for fiber ropes. This study analyzed the tensile strength of the most commonly used PP fiber ropes with different diameters (16 mm, 20 mm) in the domestic construction industry. Additionally, the effect of outdoor exposure was examined by measuring the tensile strength of new ropes and ropes exposing to outdoor conditions for 30 days and 90 days. The results showed that the new ropes and those exposed to outdoor for 30 days met the KS (Korean Standards) criteria for tensile strength. However, a significant decrease in tensile strength was observed in ropes exposed to outdoor for 90 days compared to both the new ropes and those exposed for 30 days. Furthermore, the ropes exposed for 90 days did not meet the KS criteria. These findings indicate the degradation of PP fiber ropes due to UV (Ultra Violet) radiation, highlighting the importance of considering this factor when determining the replacement period for fiber ropes used in scaffolding work.

Background: Various functional tests such as upper quarter Y-balance test (UQYBT) are used to evaluate shoulder stability and mobility in clinical or sports fields. Previous studies have been conducted to determine the correlation between the scapular or trunk muscle and UQYBT. However, the correlation between UQYBT and hip flexor, which can be considered as a core muscle, has not been confirmed. Objects: To verify the relationship between the UQYBT and scapular muscle (scapular protractor and lower trapezius [LT]), trunk muscle, and hip flexor strengths in healthy male participants. Methods: A total of 37 healthy male participants were recruited and underwent UQYBT in the push-up posture. The isometric strength of the scapular protractor, LT, trunk flexor and extensor, and hip flexors were measured using a smart KEMA strength sensor (KOREATECH Inc.). Results: The superolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related to trunk extensor (r = 0.443, p < 0.01), scapular protractor (r = 0.412, p < 0.05), LT (r = 0.436, p < 0.01), and both sides of the hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.669, p < 0.01; non-supporting- side: r = 0.641, p < 0.01). The inferolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately related to the scapular protractor (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.511, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.481, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.521, p < 0.01). The medial direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related with the scapular protractor (r = 0.522, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.541, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.605, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.561, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that the strength of the scapular muscles, trunk muscles, and hip flexor muscles correlated to the UQYBT. Therefore, the strength of not only the scapular and trunk muscles but also the hip flexor muscles should be considered to improve the UQYBT.