• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.425-433
• /
• 2019

In this study, a simple method of calculating the passive earth pressure coefficient, which is based on the limit equilibrium method, was proposed and the calculated earth pressure coefficients were compared with those of several researchers. The angle of the linear failure surface, which is combined with the logarithmic spiral arc, to the failure surfaces of the passive zone was derived and the whole passive thrust acting on the Rankine passive zone was considered in the proposed method instead of considering the horizontal component of passive thrust. The variations of the passive earth pressure coefficients of the proposed method showed the same tendency as that of the Coulomb's passive earth pressure coefficients with an inclined angle of backfill and internal friction angle. The magnitude of passive earth pressure coefficients of the proposed method were smaller than those of the Coulomb in almost all cases. A comparison of the passive earth pressure coefficients with the wall friction angle revealed the passive earth pressure coefficients of the proposed method to be smaller than those of the Coulomb and the differences between the two values increased with increasing internal friction angle and wall friction angle. A comparison of the passive earth pressure coefficients of the proposed method with those of the existing researchers for the considered internal friction angles of $25^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $35^{\circ}$, and $40^{\circ}$ and three wall friction angles revealed the maximum percentage differences for the Kerisel and Absi method, Soubra method, Lancellotta method, $Ant\tilde{a}o$ et al. method, Kame method, and Reddy et al. method to be 4.8%, 3.8%, 31.1%, 4.0%, 20.6%, and 12.8% respectively. The passive earth pressure coefficient and existing pressures were similar in all cases.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.441-448
• /
• 2014

From several researches, recently, it was found that using hollowed precast concrete (HPC) column made more compact concrete casting in joint region possible than using normal solid PC (Precast concrete) column. Therefore, the rigidity of joints can be improved like those of monolithic reinforced concrete (RC). After filling the hollow with grout concrete, however, it is expected that the HPC column behaviors like composite structure since PC element and grout concrete have different materials as well as there is a contact surface between two elements. These may affect the structural behavior and strength of the composite column. A compressive strength test was performed for the HPC column with parameter of hollow ratio for the case with and without grout in the hollow and the result is presented in this paper. The hollow ratios in the test are 35, 50 and 59% of whole section of column. Concentrated axial force was applied to top of the specimens supported as pin connection for both ends. In addition, finite element (FE) analysis was performed to simulate the failure behavior of HPC column for axial compression. As a result, it was found that the hollow ratio did not affect the initial stiffness of HPC filled with grout regardless of the strength difference of HPC and grout. However the strength was increased inversely corresponding to the hollow ratio. The structural capacity of HPC without grout closely related to the hollow size. Especially, the local collapse governs the overall failure when the thickness of HPC is too thin. Based on these effect, a suitable equation was suggested for calculation of the compressive strength of HPC column with or without grout. FE analysis considering the contact surface between HPC and grout produced a good result matched to the test result.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.289-308
• /
• 2021

This study conducts coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical modeling to investigate the maximum temperature and conditions for securing mechanical stability of the high-level radioactive waste repository when temperature criteria of bentonite buffer are 100℃ and 125℃, respectively. In case of temperature criterion of buffer as 100℃, the maximum temperatures at the interface between canister and buffer are calculated to be 99.4℃ and 99.8℃, respectively for a case with disposal tunnel spacing of 40 m and deposition hole spacing of 5.5 m and for the other case with disposal tunnel spacing of 30 m and deposition hole spacing of 6.5 m. In case of temperature criterion of buffer as 125℃, spacings of disposal tunnel and deposition hole could be decreased to 30 m and 4.5 m, respectively, which reduces the disposal area up to 55% compared to the disposal area of KRS⁺. According to analysis of mechanical stability for various disposal spacings, RMR of rock mass for KRS⁺ should be larger than 72.4 which belongs to good rock in RMR classification to prevent failure of rock mass. As disposal spacing is decreased, required RMR of rock mass is increased. In order to prevent failure of rock mass for a case with disposal tunnel spacing of 30 m and deposition hole spacing of 4.5 m, RMR larger than 87.3 is needed. However, mechanical stability of the repository is secured for all cases with RMR over 75 considering the enhancement of rock strength due to confining stress induced by swelling of the bentonite buffer and backfill.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.421-433
• /
• 2023

The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) from nuclear power plants takes place in a deep geological repository. The metal canister encasing the SNF is made of cast iron and copper, and is engineered to effectively isolate radioactive isotopes for a long period of time. The SNF is further shielded by a multi-barrier disposal system comprising both engineering and natural barriers. The deep disposal environment gradually changes to an anaerobic reducing environment. In this environment, sulfide is one of the most probable substances to induce corrosion of copper canister. Stress-corrosion cracking(SCC) triggered by sulfide can carry substantial implications for the integrity of the copper canister, potentially posing a significant threat to the long-term safety of the deep disposal repository. Sulfate can exist in various forms within the deep disposal environment or be introduced from the geosphere. Sulfate has the potential to be transformed into sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB), and this converted sulfide can contribute to the corrosion of the copper canister. Bentonite, which is considered as a potential material for buffering and backfilling, contains oxidized sulfate minerals such as gypsum(CaSO4). If there is sufficient space for microorganisms to thrive in the deep disposal environment and if electron donors such as organic carbon are adequately supplied, sulfate can be converted to sulfide through microbial activity. However, the majority of the sulfides generated in the deep disposal system or introduced from the geosphere will be intercepted by the buffer, with only a small amount reaching the metal canister. Pyrite, one of the potential sulfide minerals present in the deep disposal environment, can generate sulfates during the dissolution process, thereby contributing to the corrosion of the copper canister. However, the quantity of oxidation byproducts from pyrite is anticipated to be minimal due to its extremely low solubility. Moreover, the migration of these oxidized byproducts to the metal canister will be restricted by the low hydraulic conductivity of saturated bentonite. We have comprehensively analyzed and summarized key research cases related to the presence of sulfates, reduction processes, and the formation and behavior characteristics of sulfides and pyrite in the deep disposal environment. Our objective was to gain an understanding of the impact of sulfates and sulfides on the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository.