• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.114-129
• /
• 2017

Background: The purpose of this paper is to confirm the event timings and the magnitude of fission product aerosol release from the Fukushima accident. Over a few hundreds of technical papers have been published on the environmental impact of Fukushima Daiichi accident since the accident occurred on March 11, 2011. However, most of the research used reverse or inverse method based on the monitoring of activities in the remote places and only few papers attempted to estimate the release of fission products from individual reactor core or from individual spent fuel pool. Severe accident analysis code can be used to estimate the radioactive release from which reactor core and from which radionuclide the peaks in monitoring points can be generated. Materials and Methods: The basic material used for this study are the initial core inventory obtained from the report JAEA-Data/Code 2012-018 and the given accident scenarios provided by Japanese Government or Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in official reports. In this research a forward method using severe accident progression code is used as it might be useful for justifying the results of reverse or inverse method or vice versa. Results and Discussion: The release timing and amounts to the environment are estimated for volatile radioactive fission products such as noble gases, cesium, iodine, and tellurium up to 184 hours (about 7.7 days) after earthquake occurs. The in-plant fission product behaviors and release characteristics to environment are estimated using the severe accident progression analysis code, MELCOR, for Fukushima Daiichi accident. These results are compared with other research results which are summarized in UNSCEAR 2013 Report and other technical papers. Also it may provide the physically based arguments for justifying or suspecting the rationale for the scenarios provided in open literature. Conclusion: The estimated results by MELCOR code simulation of this study indicate that the release amount of volatile fission products to environment from Units 1, 2, and 3 cores is well within the range estimated by the reverse or inverse method, which are summarized in UNSCEAR 2013 report. But this does not necessarily mean that these two approaches are consistent.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 2010

This study is to consider applicability of spiral bolt strain gauge as an instrument measuring behavior of soft ground foundation and rock slope. When the instrument was installed on the ground, it can be useful to identify the state of ground behavior because it has the characteristics of flexibility, as well as to apply the ground reinforcement because it has higher pull-out resistance to the ground. From the measurement of behavior to soft ground foundation, the strain shows a stable state in the beginning, then was observed significant change in the upper and the middle of spiral bolt strain gauge after 400 days. This is analyzed that ground loosening, which is due to occurred frequent earthquake of magnitude 1~2 with increased rainfall, lead to the instability of the ground. From the measurement of behavior to rock slope, the strain shows a stable state with very little change in a period of 0~50 days and the biggest strain at 4.2 m (P6) in a period of 50~100 days, then other places except P6 was maintained at a stable state in a period of 100~160 days. The reason is analyzed because that blasting for excavated limestone surrounding was affected to the largest at P6. However, based on the size of strain change by behavior of the soft ground foundation and rock slope, it is considered that the present condition are not effected on stability of retaining structure and rock slope. In conclusion, the proposed spiral bolt strain gauge can be useful to measure behavior of soft ground foundation and rock slope, and also to be measured behavior as well as reinforcement of the target ground.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.68-76
• /
• 2021

Storage racks have suffered huge losses due to earthquakes, but related research and regulations are relatively insufficient non-structural elements compared to the structural elements. In this study, we tried to experimentally analyze the behavioral characteristics of storage racks due to external force according to the fixing conditions of the column-foundations connection of storage racks. In general, the column-foundations connection of storage racks is installed according to the user's convenience without installation standards and regulations. For this reason, this study conducted a behavior analysis test on four full-scale storage racks with the condition of column-foundations connection of four typical storage racks. The behavior characteristics analysis test was performed by two-direction of the shake table with El-Centro seismic wave. To confirm the behavior characteristics according to the magnitude of the seismic load, 50% ~ 150% of the seismic waves were increased by 50% for each test. In addition, a resonance search test was conducted to confirm the natural frequency of each storage racks foundations fixing condition. Among the data obtained through the test, the displacement of the top layer and the permanent displacement after the test were compared for each condition to analyze the behavior characteristics of the column-foundations fixed conditions of the storage racks. As a result, the change of natural frequency was small in storage racks due to the change of the conditions of the foundations, and the behavior characteristics were changed due to the difference of the restoring force due to the change of the storage racks foundations condition rather than the influence of the natural frequency of the input load.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.743-752
• /
• 2021

The three-dimensional distribution of the fault was evaluated using gravity field interpretation such as curvature analysis and Euler deconvolution in the Seoul-Gyeonggi region where the Chugaryeong fault zone was developed. In addition, earthquakes that occurred after 2000 and the location of faults were compared. In Bouguer anomaly of Chugaryeong faults, the Pocheon Fault is an approximately 100 km fault that is extended from the northern part of Gyeonggi Province to the west coast through the central part of Seoul. Considering the frequency of epicenters is high, there is a possibility of an active fault. The Wangsukcheon Fault is divided into the northeast and southwest parts of Seoul, but it shows that the fault is connected underground in the bouguer anomaly. The magnitude 3.0 earthquake that occurred in Siheung city in 2010 occurred in an anticipated fault (aF) that developed in the north-south direction. In the western region of the Dongducheon Fault (≒5,500 m), the density boundary of the rock mass is deeper than that in the eastern region (≒4,000 m), suggesting that the tectonic movements of the western and eastern regions of the Dongducheon Fault is different. The maximum depth of the fracture zone developed in the Dongducheon Fault is about 6,500 m, and it is the deepest in the research area. It is estimated that the fracture zone extends to a depth of about 6,000 m for the Pocheon Fault, about 5,000 m for the Wangsukcheon Fault, and about 6,000 m for the Gyeonggang Fault.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2023

Recently, concerns about natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons have increased. As the magnitude and frequency of earthquakes increase, research is needed to prevent structures from collapsing due to earthquake loads. Research is needed to increase the ductility of columns to prevent the collapse of structures. In this study, the ductility improvement of square columns achieved by applying spiral stirrups to square columns. Square columns reinforced with spiral stirrups are more resistant to repetitive loads such as seismic loads than columns reinforced with tie stirrups. Also, the spiral stirrups can apply better confinement to the concrete. In this study, an uniaxial compression test was conducted to evaluate the performance of columns reinforced with spiral stirrups. The results showed that the columns reinforced with spiral stirrups in both the circular and square columns showed higher compressive strength than the columns reinforced with the tie stirrups. In addition, the columns reinforced with spiral stirrups for both the square and circle columns, showed a tendency to endure the load even after the initial cracking and rebar yielding.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.28 no.2C
• /
• pp.83-94
• /
• 2008

In this study an effective stress analysis was performed to evaluate liquefaction potential and ground settlement for reclaimed sites. The effective stress model can simulate the stiffness degradation due to excess pore pressure and resulting ground deformation. It is applicable to a wide range of strain. An equivalent linear analysis suitable for low strain levels was also carried out to compare the effective stress analysis. Shear stress ratio calculated from an equivalent linear analysis was used to determine SPT blow count to prevent liquefaction. Depending on the magnitude of potential earthquake and fine contents, the SPT blow count was converted into an equivalent cone tip resistance. It was compared with the measured cone tip resistance. The measured elastic shear wave velocity and cone tip resistance from two reclaimed sites in Incheon were used to perform liquefaction analyses. Two liquefaction evaluation methods showed similar liquefaction potential which was evaluated continuously. The predicted excess pore pressure ratio of upper 20 m was between 40% and 70%. The calculated post-shaking settlement caused by excess pore pressure dissipation was less than 10 cm.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.111-126
• /
• 2024

Iceland is located at the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean and there are about 130 volcanoes. Volcanoes in Iceland that are predominantly active include the Reykjanes Volcano Belt, the West Volcanic Zone, the Mid-Island Belt, the East Volcanic Zone, the Northern Volcanic Zone, the Öræfi Volcanic Belt, and the Snæfellsnes Volcanic Belt. In these regions, there are over 30 volcanic systems, each of which is primarily composed of central volcanoes and fissures surrounding them. Since October 24th in 2023, an intensive earthquake swarm in the Svartsengi Volcanic System of the Reykjanes Volcano Belt had been detected by the Icelandic Meteorological Administration's monitoring system. Furthermore, surface uplift near Blue Lagoon which is located about 1.5 km northwest of Þorbjörn, was observed in cGPS data and inSAR images, suggesting magma intrusions in the area. On November 10th, 2023, the frequency and intensity of earthquakes increased, and more than 20,000 earthquakes were recorded with the maximum magnitude M5.3. (the same comment as above) Eventually, fissure eruptions with lava fountains up to 100 m high started in the Sundhnúkur fissure row of the Svarthenghi volcanic system on December 18th, 2023. The eruption ended on December 21st, but a new eruption occurred on January 14th, 2024. Eruptions continued to occur in February, March, May, and August in this area. The volcanic unrest in this area that can lead to future eruptions continues as of September 2024.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2005

Many case histories of re-liquefaction phenomena seem to support the idea that sand deposits, if they once have been liquefied, could be reliquefied again by a subsequent earthquake even though the earthquake is smaller than the previous one. The magnitude of the strains induced in the initial liquefaction has a significant influence on the resistance of the sample to re-liquefaction. The deposits undergoing liquefaction experience large shear strain during liquefaction. And this previous strain changes the microstructure into highly anisotropic structure such as columnlike structure and connected voids. This type of anisotropy is so unstable that it can reduce re-liquefaction resistance. It is blown that the extent of anisotropic structural change depends on the gradation characteristics of ground. The purpose of this study is to estimate the correlation between the gradation characteristics of the sand and the ratio of re-liquefaction resistance to liquefaction resistance. In this study, 1-g shaking table tests were carried out on five different kinds of sands. During the tests the values of excess pore pressure at various depths and surface settlements were measured. Re-liquefaction resistances were not affected by the initial void ratio and the effective confining pressures, and the deposits of all test sands which had once been liquefied were reliquefied in the cyclic loading number below 1 to 1.5. The ratio of re-liquefaction resistance to liquefaction resistance linearly decreased as $D_{10}/C_u$ increased, and was constant as about 0.2 above the value of $D_{10}/C_u$, 0.15 mm.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.85-93
• /
• 2021

The seventy percentage of Korean Peninsular is covered by the mountainous area, and the depth of west sea and south sea is relatively shallow. Therefore, a large scale land reclamation from the sea has been implemented for the construction of industrial complex, residental area, and port and airport facilities. The common problem of reclaimed land is consisted of soft ground, and hence it has low load bearing capacity as well as excessive settlement upon loading on the ground surface. The hollow concrete block has been used to reinforce the loose and soft foundation soil where the medium-high apartment or one-story industrial building is being planned to be built. Recently the earthquakes with the magnitude of 4.0~5.0 have been occurred in the west coastal and southeast coastal areas. Lee (2019) reported the advantages of hollow concrete block reinforced shallow foundation through the static laboratory bearing capacity tests. In this study, the dynamic behavior of hollow concrete block reinforced sandy ground with filling the crushed stone in the hollow space has been investigated by the means of shaking table test with the size of shaking table 1000 mm × 1000 mm. Three types of seismic wave, that is, Ofunato, Hachinohe, Artificial, and two different accelerations (0.154 g, 0.22 g) were applied in the shaking table tests. The horizontal displacement of structure which is situated right above the hollow concrete block reinforced ground was measured by using the LVDT. The relative density of soil ground are varied with 45%, 65%, and 85%, respectively, to investigate the effectiveness of reinforcement by hollow block and measured the magnitude of lateral movement, and compared with the limit value of 0.015h (Building Earthquake Code, 2019). Based on the results of shaking table test for hollow concrete block reinforced sandy ground, honeycell type hollow block gives a large interlocking force due to the filling of crushed stone in the hollow space as well as a great interface friction force by the confining pressure and punching resistance along the inside and outside of hollow concrete block. All these factors are contributed to reduce the great amount of horizontal displacement during the shaking table test. Finally, hollow concrete block reinforced sandy ground for shallow foundation is provided an outstanding reinforced method for medium-high building irrespective of seismic wave and moderate accelerations.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.33 no.5_1
• /
• pp.469-480
• /
• 2017

This study aims to understand the relationship between lineaments and epicenters in Geochang region, Gyungsangnam-do, South Korea. An instrumental observation of earthquakes has been started by Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) since 1978 and there were 6 earthquakes with magnitude ranging 2 to 2.5 in Geochang region from 1978 to 2016. Lineaments were extracted from LANDSAT 8 satellite image and shaded relief map displayed in 3-dimension using Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Then, lineament density was statistically examined by hotspot analysis. Hexagonal grids were generated to perform the analysis because hexagonal pattern expresses lineaments with less discontinuity than square girds, and the size of the grid was selected to minimize a variance of lineament density. Since hotspot analysis measures the extent of clustering with Z score, Z scores computed with lineaments' frequency ($L_f$), length ($L_d$), and intersection ($L_t$) were used to find lineament clusters in the density map. Furthermore, the Z scores were extracted from the epicenters and examined to see the relevance of each density elements to epicenters. As a result, 15 among 18 densities,recorded as 3 elements in 6 epicenters, were higher than 1.65 which is 95% of the standard normal distribution. This indicates that epicenters coincide with high density area. Especially, $L_f$ and $L_t$ had a significant relationship with epicenter, being located in upper 95% of the standard normal distribution, except for one epicenter in $L_t$. This study can be used to identify potential seismic zones by improving the accuracy of expressing lineaments' spatial distribution and analyzing relationship between lineament density and epicenter. However, additional studies in wider study area with more epicenters are recommended to promote the results.