• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.215-229
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• 2019

This technical note describes the current status of Finnish radioactive waste disposal project which started to construct the repository for spent nuclear waste for the first time in the world. Finland started operating nuclear power plant in 1977 and is currently operating four nuclear power plants. After detailed site surveys started in 1993, Olkiluoto was finally selected by the parliament of Finland as the site for geological disposal in 2001 followed by a construction license in 2015. If the operating license is approved by the government in the 2020s, it would be the world's first case of geological disposal. In ONKALO, a site-specific underground research facility at the site of Olkiluoto, various studies were conducted to verify the safety of the repository. Finland uses the KBS-3 disposal concept, and Korea considers a similar disposal concept because of similar rock formations. The entire process in Finland including the operation status of intermediate and low-level waste disposal, site investigation and selection stages, and the latest rock mechanics and hydrogeological studies in ONKALO are presented. Suggestions for the radioactive waste disposal in Korea is given based on the Finnish case.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

The effects of forest fires on the activity of microbial communities in topsoil and subsoil were investigated. Samples were collected from Korean forest soils comprising mainly igneous and sedimentary rocks. Analysis of beta-glucosidase, found higher microbial activity in sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks. Enzyme activity was not observed immediately after fire, but was restored over time. The enzyme activity of subsoil was inhibited by 33~46% compared with that in the topsoil, regardless of soil damage. The effect of fire on the availability of microbial substrate was investigated using EcoPlate. The percentages of average well color development values of damaged and normal topsoil were 52.7~56.8% and 62.3~83.6%, respectively. Forest fires appear to affect the diversity and substrate availability of the subsoil microbial community by accelerating the decomposition of soil organic matter. The Shanon index, representing microbial biodiversity, was high in the topsoil of all samples; it was higher for soil microorganisms in sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks, and higher in topsoil than in subsoil.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.277-290
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• 2016

Deep geological cross-sectional data is generally not common nor easy to construct, because it is expensive and requires a great deal of time. As a result, geological interpretations at depth are limited. Many scientists attempt to construct geological cross-sections at depth using geological surface data and geophysical data. In this paper, we suggest a method for constructing cross-sections from limited geological surface data in a target area. The reason for this study is to construct and interpret geological cros-sections at depth to evaluate heat flow anomaly along the Yangsan fault. The Yangsan Fault passes through the south-eastern part of the Korean Peninsula. The cross-section is constructed from Sangbukmyeon to Unchonmyeon passing perpendicularly through the Yangsan Fault System trending NW-SE direction. The geological cross-section is constructed using the following data: (1) Lithologic distributions and main structural elements. (2) Extensity of sedimentary rock and igneous rock, from field mapping. (3) Fault dimension calculated based on geometry of exposed surface rupture, and (4) Seismic and core logging data. The Yangsan Fault System is composed of the Jain fault, Milyang fault, Moryang fault, Yangsan fault, Dongnae fault, and Ingwang fault which strike NNE-SSW. According to field observation, the western section of the Yangsan fault bounded by igneous rocks and in the eastern section sedimentary rocks are dominant. Using surface fault length we infer that the Yangsan Fault System has developed to a depth of kilometers beneath the surface. According to seismic data, sedimentary rocks that are adjacent to the Yangsan fault are thin and getting thicker towards the east of the section. In this study we also suggest a new method to recognize faults using core loggings. This analysis could be used to estimate fault locations at different scales.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 2013

Volcanic activity commonly creates a highly complicated volcanic complex due to the admixture of lava flow and sedimentation of volcanic ash. The Song-Gok site is composed of volcanic rocks that collapsed at the lower part of the slope, in combination with several discontinuities in and around a fault. The results of projection analysis indicated the possibility of plane, wedge, and toppling failure in the failure section. The results of discontinuity modeling using the Distinct Element Method (DEM) revealed a total displacement of 207 mm and a joint shear displacement of 114 mm. The yield surface zone was verified at the fault plane of the failure section. In geotechnical terms, volcanic rock slopes are characteristically vulnerable to failure because of differential weathering among the various rock types, the effect of groundwater based on the permeability of the rocks, and the presence of systematic joints generated by the cooling and contraction of lava. When considering the stability of a volcanic rock slope, it is necessary to consider data such as the geological features of the rock, as obtained through detailed geological survey, and variations in discontinuities and rock blocks.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.457-465
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• 2013

We integrated and correlated datasets from surface and subsurface geophysics, drilling cores, and engineering geology to identify geological interfaces and characterize the joints and fracture zones within the rock mass. The regional geometry of a geologically weak zone was investigated via a fence projection of electrical resistivity data and a borehole image-processing system. Subsurface discontinuities and intensive fracture zones within the rock mass are delineated by cross-hole seismic tomography and analyses of dip directions in rose diagrams. The dynamic elastic modulus is studied in terms of the P-wave velocity and Poisson's ratio. Subsurface discontinuities, which are conventionally identified using the N value and from core samples, can now be identified from anomalous reflection coefficients (i.e., acoustic impedance contrast) calculated using a pair of well logs, comprising seismic velocity from suspension-PS logging and density from logging. Intensive fracture zones identified in the synthetic seismogram are matched to core loss zones in the drilling core data and to a high concentration of joints in the borehole imaging system. The upper boundaries of fracture zones are correlated to strongly negative amplitude in the synthetic trace, which is constructed by convolution of the optimal Ricker wavelet with a reflection coefficient. The standard deviations of dynamic elastic moduli are higher for fracture zones than for acompact rock mass, due to the wide range of velocities resulting from the large numbers of joints and fractures within the zone.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2005

The effect of rotation speed and culture temperature on the growth of T. aureum and also the biosynthesis of lipid and DHA was investigated. The optimal temperature for the growth was $32^{\circ}C$, but the best temperature for the maximum production of lipid and DHA was $18^{\circ}C$ in the range of $4^{\circ}C\;to\;39^{\circ}C$. In the case that the temperature was higher than $39^{\circ}C$ and lower than $11^{\circ}C$, the growth was very slow and the production of DHA was also very low. However, the lipid content in the biomass became higher with decrease in the culture temperature. The rotation speed for the maximum growth was 100rpm. But the growth and the production of DHA were not affected by the change of rotation speed in the range of 100 to 250 rpm. When the rotation speed was 50 rpm, the growth as well as the production of DHA and lipid was greatly reduced.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.537-543
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• 2008

To effectively delineate the foundation of stone relics by GPR and seismic refraction methods, a geological engineering model was constructed with alternating layer of soil and gravel to a depth of 3 m. This study was aimed at mapping the boundaries of model ground structure and interfaces of alternating layer using the various frequency antenna in GPR survey and seismic velocities. Compared to the resolution from the high frequency antenna, the image resolution from the survey using 100 Hz antenna is the lower, but with the deeper image coverage. On the contrast, the deeper structure was not mapped in the higher frequency data due to higher absorption effect, but the shallow layered zone was distinctively resolved. Therefore subsurface images were effectively provided by integrating the data with 100 MHz and 450 MHz antennas for the deep and shallow structures, respectively. Regarding the seismic refraction data, the boundaries of the model and interface of the alternating layers were not successfully mapped due to the limit of the survey length. However, the equivalent contours of low velocity extended deep as considerable velocity contrasts with surrounding ground.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.223-236
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• 2019

Resistivity surveys can identify the distribution of geological units and structures (including fragmented fault zones), the extent of weathered and modified geological strata, and the characteristics of groundwater. This study aims to analyze the underground sedimentary layers and geological structures near the Nari and Albong Basins of Ulleung-do, Korea, focusing on six survey lines to identify the spatial trends in subsurface resistivity. A modified dipole array method (D method) was employed, combining resistivity results obtained by existing dipole array methods (A and C methods). The modified method provides optimal analysis of the cross-section of underground resistivity, and shows a clear boundary between a low-resistivity zone (${\leq}500{\Omega}{\cdot}m$) of sedimentary layers and weak zones, and a high-resistivity zone (${\geq}5,000{\Omega}{\cdot}m$) of volcanic rock (trachyandesite). The estimated average thickness of the sedimentary layers is 50~100 m for the Albong Basin and 100~200 m for the Nari Basin. An anomaly zone, different from the weak zone in the bedrock, is identified as a caldera fault, and the low-resistivity zone extends from the surface down to the lowest survey depths.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.415-427
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• 2024

This study undertook a quantitative analysis of the distribution of fractures in deep drillcore from a Precambrian metamorphic complex on the north face of Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea. The fracture distribution with depth, inclination of fractures, and grain size in the fracture zone were measured and statistical techniques applied to derive probability distributions of fracture intervals. Analysis of the inclination angles of fracture planes showed that sub-horizontal fractures are dominant, and fracture spacing is mainly ≤0.5 m, with a median of 0.09 m, first quartile of 0.04 m, and third quartile of 0.18 m, indicating very dense fracture development. Statistical analysis of joint properties was undertaken with fitting using five probability density functions (double Weibull, exponential, generalized logistic, gamma, and lognormal). The lognormal distribution (sum of squared errors, SSE = 2.80) yielded the best fit based on the sum of residual squares. Quantitative characterization of the fracture characteristics of deep bedrock in the Hongcheon area is important for various geotechnical applications such as groundwater flow modeling, slope stability assessment, and underground structure design. In future studies, it will be necessary to combine in situ stress measurements and geophysical surveys to determine the relationship between fracture development and the local stress field.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.737-753
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• 2023

Abandoned mines represent unused space resulting from resource use and changes in industrial environments. Efforts are underway to repurpose such underground spaces, leveraging their unique attributes of temperature stability, shading, and security. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of operating high-demand data centers and public sports facilities as potential recycling options for abandoned mine spaces. The status of data centers located in abandoned mines abroad was examined, including their operational technology capitalizing on the advantages of underground spaces. Considering the varying sizes of underground spaces in different types of abandoned mine in South Korea, the suitability of installing facilities for 12 different sports was evaluated for potential contributions to the health and welfare of local residents. The utilization of abandoned mine spaces as data centers and public sports facilities is expected to not only recycle industrial heritage but also to allow new development opportunities for local communities.