• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2002

With improving computer penormance and advancing simulation techniques, a growing number of softwares are being developed for visualization of investigation results in geotechnical problems. It is a very important subject for geological site investigation to understand or predict if there would be any hazardous geological conclition that might cause any increase of construction costs or an extension of construction period. A 3-D (three-climensional) visualization technique may be one of the powerful tools to overcome an uncertainty problem of geologica] site investigatior. The paper describes an overview of a newly developed geotechnical 3-D interpretation system for the purpose of applying the 3-D visualization technique, GIS (geographic information system) and D/B (database) to tunnel design and construction. VR (virtual reality) and 3-D visualization techniques are applied in order to develope the 3-D model of characteristics and structures of rock mass. D/B system for all the materials related to site investigation and tunnel construction is developed using GIS technique. This system is very useful for civil engineers to make a plan of tunnel construction at the design stage and also during construction with the advantage of improving the economy and safety of tunnels.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2019

Bottom-up multi-stage pressure grouting is widely applied to domestic slopes and tunnels. It involves injecting earth from the ground to the surface after drilling. Various reports of construction performance have demonstrated its wide applicability. However, little research has studied top-down multi-step pressure grouting in Korea, which involves injection from the surface. This paper compares the grouting effect of both the established bottom-up method and the top-down method in soil box and field tests. The soil box test showed that the bulb volume of the top-down method is ~24% less than that of the bottom-up method. The field test confirmed that the top-down method has a wider grouting range and a higher injection density per area than the bottom-up method.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.715-726
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• 2018

Various methods, such as geophysical exploration, temperature measurement, and fiber optics, have been developed for detecting the seepage at a dam. In this study, in order to investigate the possibility of leakage detection using dielectric constant of FDR sensor, a physical model consisting of weak and no-weak zones is fabricated and the sensors for dielectric constant, temperature and pore water pressure measurements are installed. As a leakage happens, the dielectric constant changes more rapidly through a weak zone than no-weak zone. In addition, comparing three factors (dielectric constant, temperature, and pore water pressure), the response of dielectric constant to seepage is fast and it is easily recognized even at the end measurement point. Considering these features, it is concluded that it could be possible to cope with the leakage detection quickly and efficiently if the dielectric constant is measured at the downstream slope of a dam.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.583-592
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• 2018

Recently, concern has arisen regarding the lowering of groundwater levels in the hinterland caused by the development of high-capacity radial collector wells in riverbank filtration areas. In this study, groundwater levels are estimated using Modflow software in relation to the water volume pumped by the radial collector well in Anseongcheon Stream. Using the water volume data, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is developed to determine the amount of water that can be withdrawn while minimizing the reduction of groundwater level. We estimate that increasing the pumping rate of the horizontal well HW-6, which is drilled parallel to the stream direction, is necessary to minimize the reduction of groundwater levels in wells OW-7 and OB-11. We also note that the number of input data and the classification of training and test data affect the results of the ANN model. This type of approach, which supplements ANN modeling with observed data, should contribute to the future groundwater management of hinterland areas.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.339-350
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• 2022

There are a variety of types in tafoni formed in Miocene tuff from Golgulsa, Gyeongju. Tuff bearing tafoni was quite weathered, composed of quartz, feldspars, micas, vermiculite, chlorite, smectite, and analcite. In the early stage of the tafoni development, tafoni preferentially formed from cavities where volcanic breccias were removed or from microcavities where microcrystals were chemically altered. Small tafoni grew into large one by merging each other. The orientation of tafoni is inversely arranged to slopes, with slight inclination toward the inner cavity. Height, width, and depth of tafoni are closely interrelated: the correlation coefficients are 0.839 (width-height), 0.900 (width-depth), and 0.856 (height-depth), respectively. Removal of walls between tafoni resulted in lenticular or crescent forms, and small tafoni laterally combined to large tafoni. Large tafoni is weak because of high porosity and low strength compared to normal slope. Therefore, systematic monitoring for slope strength, pore proportion and volume, and growth of cavity needs to secure the slope stability where tafoni in Golgulsa is widespread.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.401-410
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• 2022

This work reports an oven drying test performed on weathered granite soil from Yecheon, Korea, in order to find an effective method for measuring the weight of pure soil particles. After samples were oven dried, weights measured following desiccation using the method specified by the Korean Industrial Standard (KS F) were compared with weights measured without prior desiccation. Soil samples exposed to air for 45 min after oven drying absorbed moisture from the air and gradually increased in weight. When a desiccator was used, results measured 30 s after exposure to air indicated weight increases of 0.103-0.735% (depending on the particle size of the soil) relative to equivalent samples measured without desiccation. Using a desiccator after oven drying leads to overestimation of the pure soil weight. Therefore, measuring the weight of a soil sample immediately after oven drying without using a desiccator can reduce the error of weight measurement.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2021

This study evaluated the injection rate and the injection efficiency of the artificial recharge in the upper drought-prone watershed region, where the remaining water was used for injection, by using a numerical model to secure water during a drought. As a result of a numerical model under the condition of diverse injection rates per a well and hydraulic characteristics of the aquifer, the optimal injection rate per a well was estimated as 50.0 ㎥/day, and the injection efficiency was simulated as 33.2% to 81.2% of the total injection volume. As the injection time was shorter, the injection efficiency tented to increase non-linearly. As the injection rate increased, the residual storage in aquifer increased and available groundwater amount also increased, which could be advantageous for drought relief. For a more accurate assessment of injection efficiency, the model will be validated using the field injection data and optimum scenarios will enable the efficient operation of the artificial recharge system in the study area.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.295-310
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• 2022

The Weolaksan and Sokrisan granites yield high SiO₂ and alkali (Na₂O+K₂O) contents and low CaO and P₂O₅ contents. The Al saturation index is ≥1.3, which indicates that the granites are peraluminous. The mean U and Th contents are 8.3 and 39.3 ppm, respectively, higher than typical Mesozoic granites in South Korea and about twice the global mean for granitic rocks. The causes of such high radioelement contents are related to high degrees of fractionation and the crustal origin of the granites. U- and Thbearing radioactive minerals occur in the granites include zircon, thorite, monazite, xenotime, fergusonite and uraninite. The fact that the mean Th/U ratio of the granites (5.4) is similar to the global average crustal value suggests that the radioelement contents of granite were controlled by the crustal source material. Given the correlation of Zr, Y, and heavy rare earth elements for U and Th, radioelements are more likely hosted by xenotime than zircon and monazite.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.241-255
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• 2022

In this study, sieve analysis testing was performed on weathered granite soil from Yecheon (eastern South Korea) before and after water washing in accordance with the sieve analysis regulations of KS F 2302. The changes in particle separation and particle size distribution after washing with water were analyzed. Image analysis using an optical microscope revealed that soil particles were separated into smaller particles by water washing. The change in the particle size distribution curve was assessed using five index values. The increase in the fine particle fraction (<0.075 mm) was 13.67%, the increase in the 0.075-0.25 mm fraction was 19.44%, and the mean particle diameter (D₅₀) decreased by 0.663 mm. In addition, the maximum passage width (B_M) of the particle size distribution curve increased by 21.08% for the #30 sieve, and the moving area (A) of the particle size distribution curve was 69.28%·mm. These results suggest that washing with water is an effective way to prevent underestimation of the fine particle content in soil.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2023

Predicting earthquakes is difficult due to the complexity of the systems underlying tectonic phenomena and incomplete understanding of the interactions among tectonic settings, tectonic stress, and crustal components. The Korean Peninsula is located in a stable intraplate region with a low average seismicity of M 2.3. As public interest in the earthquake grows, we analyzed earthquakes on the Korean Peninsula by attempting to predict spatio-temporal earthquake patterns and magnitudes using Facebook's Prophet model based on deep learning, and here we discuss seismic distribution zones using DBSCAN, a cluster analysis method. The Prophet model predicts future earthquakes in Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul, and Gyeongsangbuk-do.