Tunnel and Underground Space (터널과지하공간)

Korean Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (한국암반공학회)
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An Experimental Study on the Effects of Microwave Irradiation on Basalt Properties for Lunar Deep Excavation

달 심부 굴착을 위한 마이크로파 조사의 현무암 물성 영향에 대한 실험적 연구

  • Ji Hye Hwang (Department of Integrated Energy and Infra System, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Tae Young Ko (Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Kangwon National University)
  • 황지혜 (강원대학교 에너지.인프라 융합학과) ;
  • 고태영 (강원대학교 에너지.자원공학과)
  • Received : 2024.10.11
  • Accepted : 2024.10.22
  • Published : 2024.10.31
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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of microwave irradiation on the physical properties of basalt to explore its potential as an efficient technique for lunar surface and deep excavation. Experiments were conducted to measure changes in P-wave velocity, Leeb hardness, Schmidt hammer rebound hardness, Cerchar Abrasivity Index (CAI), Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Young's modulus, and temperature of basalt specimens according to microwave irradiation time. Results showed that microwave irradiation induced microcracks in basalt and reduced its physical strength. Notably, after 5 minutes of microwave irradiation, UCS and Young's modulus decreased significantly. P-wave velocity also decreased markedly with increased irradiation time, indicating internal structural weakening of the rock. This is primarily attributed to thermal stress induced by microwave penetration into the rock and crack propagation due to differential thermal expansion between minerals. By confirming the rock weakening effect of microwave irradiation under conditions similar to the lunar environment, this study suggests the possibility of greatly improving the efficiency of lunar surface and deep excavation operations.

본 연구는 마이크로파 조사가 현무암의 물성에 미치는 영향을 분석하여 달 표면 및 심부 굴착을 위한 효율적인 기술적 가능성을 탐구했다. 실험을 통해 마이크로파 조사 시간에 따른 현무암 시험편의 P파 속도, Leeb 경도, Schmidt 해머 반발 경도, 세르샤 마모 지수, 일축압축강도, 탄성계수, 온도변화를 측정하였다. 연구 결과, 마이크로파 조사는 현무암의 미세균열을 발생시키고 물리적 강도를 감소시켰다. 특히 5분간의 마이크로파 조사 후 일축압축강도와 탄성계수가 크게 감소하였으며, 조사 시간 증가에 따라 P파 속도가 현저히 감소하여 암석 내부의 구조적 약화를 확인하였다. 이는 암석 내부로 침투한 마이크로파의 열응력 유발 및 광물 간 열팽창 차이로 인한 균열 확장이 주된 원인으로 분석된다. 본 연구는 달 환경과 유사한 조건에서 마이크로파 조사의 암석 약화 효과를 확인하여, 달 표면 및 심부 굴착 작업의 효율성을 크게 향상시킬 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 과학기술정보통신부 한국건설기술연구원 연구운영비지원(주요사업)사업(과제번호 20240184-001, 극한건설 환경구현 인프라 및 TRL6 이상급 극한건설 핵심기술 개발)과 2024년도 정부(산업통상자원부)의 재원으로 해외자원개발협회의 지원을 받아 수행되었습니다(2021060003, 스마트 마이닝 전문 인력 양성).

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