• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.138-152
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• 2003

Three-dimensional computer modeling using FLAC3D had been carried out fur evaluating the thermal-mechanical stability of a high-level radioactive waste repository excavated in several hundred deep location. For effective modeling, a FISH program was made and the geological conditions and rock properties achieved from the drilling sites in Kosung and Yusung areas were used. Sensitivity analysis fer the stresses and temperatures from the modeling designed utilizing fractional factorial design was carried out. From the sensitivity analysis, the important design parameters and their interactions could be determined. From this study, it was found that deposition hole spacing is the most important parameter on the thermal and mechanical stability. The second and third most important parameters were disposal tunnel and buffer thickness.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

Microseismic monitoring is utilized for the performance verification and safety management of the structure by detecting fine levels of damage. In order to construct a highly reliable microseismic monitoring system, the role of signal conditioner is critical. The signal conditioner helps with accurate data collection and precision control of the device, and performs additional functions such as signal conversion, linearization, and amplification. In this technical report, noise reduction signal conditioner suitable for mining sites was developed and reviewed for the purpose of implementing more precise monitoring by supplementing the previously developed microseismic monitoring system.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.31-54
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• 2017

In the countries operating nuclear reactors, the development of high-level radioactive waste(HLW) disposal technique is considered as an urgent and important issue for sustainable utilization of nuclear energy. In Korea, in which a low and intermediate radioactive waste repository is already operating, the construction of an underground research laboratory for in situ validation studies became a matter of interest with increasing concerns on the management of HLW. In order to construct and to operate an underground HLW repository safely in deep underground, the stability of rock mass should be guaranteed. As an important factor on rock stability, excavation damaged zone (EDZ) has been studied in many underground research laboratories in foreign countries. For accurate evaluation of the characteristics and effects of EDZ under disposal condition, it is required to use reliable investigation method based on the analysis of previous studies in similar conditions. In this study, status of foreign underground research laboratories in other countries, approaches for investigation the characteristics, size, and effect of EDZ, and major findings from the researches were surveyed and reported. This will help the accomplishment of domestic researches for developing HLW management techniques in underground research laboratory.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.335-353
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• 2023

Site selection processes for high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities in different countries differ in terms of local geology and degree of public engagement. There seem to be three alternative processes for site selection: (1) selection with community consent after government choice; (2) selection with continuous community engagement after exclusion of unsuitable areas based on existing survey data; or (3) site selection where communities have expressed a willingness to participate. The Yucca Mountain site in Nevada, USA, was selected as the final disposal site by process (1) through six stages, but its development was suspended owing to opposition from the local governor and environmental groups. In Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany, process (2) is used and sites are selected through three stages. Sweden and Switzerland have completed site selection, and Germany is currently engaged in the process. The UK adopted process (3) with six stages, although the process has been suspended owing to poor community participation. In Korea, temporary storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel will reach saturation from 2030, so site selection must be promoted through various laws and systems, with continuous communication with local communities based on transparent and scientifically undertaken procedures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.42-56
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• 2023

In deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), the natural barrier must physically support the disposal facility and delay the movement of radionuclides for at least hundreds of thousands of years. To evaluate the long-term geological evolution of the natural barriers, it is essential to analyze the long-term behavior of rock joints, including the frictional healing behavior. This study aimed to experimentally analyze the frictional healing behavior of rock joints under hydro-mechanical (H-M) conditions through the slide-hold-slide (SHS) test. The SHS tests were performed under mechanical and H-M conditions for joint specimens of different roughness. In the H-M conditions, the frictional healing rate tended to increase, which was more evident in the specimens with large roughness. In addition, it was confirmed that the effect of the hydro-mechanical conditions was more significant when the effective normal stress acting on the joint surface was small. These results are expected to be used as fundamental data to understand the frictional healing behavior of rock joints in the natural barriers.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.243-269
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• 2021

Since the early 2010s, the social importance of research and practical projects targeting deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste, underground CO₂ storage and characterization of deep subsurface by borehole investigation has been increasing. In this regard, there is also a significant increase in the need for in situ test technology to obtain quantitative and reliable information on the hydraulic characteristics of deep rock mass. Through years of research and development, we have independently set up Deep borehole Hydraulic Test System (DHTS) based on the key apparatuses designed and made with our own technology. Using this system, high precision constant pressure injection tests were successfully completed at the two 1 km boreholes located in Mesozoic granite and sedimentary rock regions, Gyeongju. During the field tests, it was possible to measure very low flow rate below 0.01 l/min with micro flow rate injection/control module. In this paper, the major characteristics of DHTS are introduced and also some results obtained from the high precision field tests under the deep and low permeable rock mass environment are briefly discussed.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.489-500
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• 2017

It is not rare that pseudotachylite, dark colored rock with glassy texture, is recognizable in deep core samples drilled up to 900 m from the surface. Pseudotachylite with widths varying few to 20 cm is sharply contacted or interlayered with the host rocks composed of Jurassic granite and Precambrian amphibolite gneiss, showing moderately ductile deformation or slight folding. Pseudotachylite occurring at varying depths in the deep drill core are slightly different in texture and thickness. There is evidence of fault gouge at shallower depths, although brittle deformation is pervasive in most drill cores and pseudotachylite is identified at random depth intervals. Under scanning electron microscope (SEM), it is evident that the surface of pseudotachylite is characterized by a smooth, glassy matrix even at micrometer scale and there is little residual fragments in the glass matrix except microcrystals of quartz with embayed shape. Such textural evidence strongly supports the idea that the pseudotachylite was generated through the friction melting related to strong seismic events. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) quantitative analysis, it consists of primary minerals such as quartz, feldspars, biotite, amphibole and secondary minerals including clay minerals, calcite and glassy materials. Such mineralogical features of fractured materials including pseudotachylite indicate that the fractured zone might form at low temperatures possibly below $300^{\circ}C$, which implies that the seismic activity related to the formation of pseudotachylite took place at shallow depths, possibly at most 10 km. Identification and characterization of pseudotachylite provide insight into a better understanding of the paleoseismic activity of deep grounds and fundamental information on the stability of candidate disposal sites for high-level radioactive waste.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2024

In this case study, detailed survey of the Excavation Damaged Zone (EDZ) evaluation for the deep geological repository for high level nuclear waste was conducted. Oversea and Domestic case studies were compiled and investigated. EDZ is considered a crucial factor in the performance assessment of spent fuel disposal, leading to numerous studies worldwide aiming to understand the characteristics of the EDZ and quantitatively assessment of its extent through field and laboratory tests at Underground Research Laboratory (URL) sites. To enhance the understanding of EDZ, this study begins with defining and exploring the history of EDZ, compiling factors influencing EDZ, and summarizing the impacts caused by EDZ. Subsequently, an analysis of EDZ and rock properties is performed, followed by presenting generalized outcomes, limitations drawn from previous research, and proposing future research directions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.477-495
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• 2022

This study examined the sustainability of CO₂-rich water by analyzing the water level and water quality change pattern with the amount of its use in Angseong area, Chungju. The origin and supply of CO₂ component were discussed in consideration of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio, occurrence of CO₂-rich fluid inclusions in nearby W-Mo deposits and other surrounding geological characteristics. According to the data from 1986 to 2017, the depth of the water level of CO₂-rich water was significantly lowered in the late period (2009-2015) than in the early period (1986-1992) of the development of hot spa wells, and the optimal yields for pumping tests also showed a tendency to gradual decrease. Concentrations of CO₂ component also decreased continuously in the later stages compared to the early stages of development, but it has been stable since 2012. It is inferred that the geological environment related to forming W-Mo quartz vein deposits (0.5×1.5×several km) around the study area are largely involved in the origin and supply of CO₂ component, and the supply of CO₂ component is not infinitely supplied from deep current magma activity. Rather, since it is finitely supplied from a restricted subsurface region formed in the past geological period, it is necessary to efficiently control its use in order to maintain the sustainability of CO₂-rich water in the study area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.199-211
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• 1997

As a part of study on geological disposal of radioactive waste, hydrogeochemical characteristics of deep granitic groundwater in Korea were investigated through the construction of a large geochemical dataset of natural water, the examination on the behaviour of dissolved constituents, and the consideration of phase stability based on thermodynamic approach. In granitic region, the contents of total dissolved solids increase progressively from surface waters to deep groundwaters, which indicates the presence of more concentrated waters at depth due to water-rock interaction. The chemical composition of groundwater evolves from initial $Ca^{2＋}$－(C $l^{－}$＋S $O_4$$^{2-}$) or $Ca^{2＋}$-HC $O_3$$^{－}$ type to final N $a^{＋}$-HC $O_3$$^{－}$ or N $a^{＋}$－(C $l^{－}$＋S $O_4$$^{2-}$) type, via $Ca^{2＋}$-HC $O_3$$^{－}$ type. Three main mechanisms seem to control the chemical composition of groundwater in the granitic region; 1) congruent dissolution of calcite at shallower depth, 2) calcite precipitation and incongruent dissolution of plagioclase at deeper depth, and 3) kaolinite-smectite or/and kaolinite-illite reaction at equilibrium at deeper depth. The behaviour of dissolved major cations (C $a^{2＋}$, $K^{＋}$, $Mg^{2＋}$, M $a^{＋}$) and silica is likely to be controlled by these reactions.